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Community Development

Corporation to diversify projects for physically challenged

Tuesday, 06 August 2013 11:34 administrator
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The New Indian Express     06.08.2013 

Corporation to diversify projects for physically challenged

Till now, as part of the project, the Corporation has given away 80 tri-scooters of the total 103 and the remaining ones will be distributed soon after the registration process. | EPS
Till now, as part of the project, the Corporation has given away 80 tri-scooters of the total 103 and the remaining ones will be distributed soon after the registration process. | EPS

Changing with the times, from next year onwards, the City Corporation is planning to diversify its projects for providing aids for people challenged with various physical disabilities. It will seek permission from the government to include different kinds of aids in the distribution programmes. The thought came in the wake of not getting the expected response for the allotment of tricycles.

“We had expected nearly 300 people to turn up for getting the tricycles and Rs 10 lakh was set aside. But, finally, we got only six people and less than Rs 80,000 had to be spent for buying the aids. Hence, from next year onwards, we may go for distributing hearing aids, walking sticks attached with a bell, wheel-chairs etc, depending on obtaining government nod,” said Palayam Rajan, Welfare Standing Committee chairman of the City Corporation.

All six tricycles were received by the beneficiaries on Monday. Thirty tri-scooters were also distributed as part of the ‘Sahayahastham’ project for the physically challenged on the occasion. Till now, as part of the project, the Corporation has given away 80 tri-scooters of the total 103 and the remaining ones will be distributed soon after the registration process, which is expected to be done this month, is over.

Meanwhile, to give away the talking computers for the visually impaired, the Corporation will hold talks with banks and charitable organisations to pool in the beneficiary contribution as the selected beneficiaries cannot find that big amounts on their own. 

Monday’s programme held at the Corporation office was inaugurated by Mayor K Chandrika and presided over by Deputy Mayor G Happykumar. Standing committee chairpersons were also present.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 06 August 2013 11:47
 

MC conducts training workshop

Friday, 07 June 2013 12:16 administrator
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The Times of India                  07.06.2013

MC conducts training workshop

CHANDIGARH: The municipal corporation on Thursday organised a workshop on strengthening and reviewing progress on skill training for employment promotion amongst urban poor (STEP-UP). The objective was to strengthen the process taken up by skill training institutions in training urban poor youth under government flagship programmes. 

 

Displaced slum-dwellers out on a limb for 17 days

Friday, 08 March 2013 10:35 administrator
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The Hindu                         08.03.2013

Displaced slum-dwellers out on a limb for 17 days

Staff Report 

144 families desperately seek temporary shelter.

Dozens of slum-dwellers from Laggere, who were recently displaced from their homes as part of a slum rejuvenation project, staged a protest outside the office of the Karnataka Slum Development Board here on Thursday demanding immediate relief.

Over a fortnight ago, bulldozers hired by the board razed 144 huts in the Lakshmidevi slum in Laggere, displacing at least 500 people. The demolition drive was part of a project funded by the JNNURM to replace the low-quality huts with multi-storeyed apartments for the poor.

However, even 17 days after being rendered homeless, they have not been provided temporary shelter. Speaking on behalf of the protesters, A. Jyothi, State president of the National Federation of Indian Women, said the board contractors had been tasked with building 100 temporary sheds for the displaced. But they have only built 54, she said. “First, the contract should have been for 144 sheds. The least they [Slum Board] could have ensured is that the contractors finished the project in good time. How long does it take to set up 100 tin sheds,” she asked.

Poor quality

The protesters also complained that the quality of the sheds constructed was very poor. “The metal sheets [for the sheds] are corroded. They don’t look new,” said one woman. “They have been paid Rs. 16,600 per shed as per information we got under RTI,” Ms. Jyothi said, while alleging that the quality of the construction doesn’t reflect the money spent.

Others complained that basic facilities such as water and sanitation have not yet been provided. “There is only one plastic water tank for all of us. We are not able to use even this as the water tank has not been mounted. There is one toilet for every 15 huts,” said Ms. Jyothi. The board officials could not be contacted for a response.

 

Civic body to rehabilitate hawkers near their houses

Saturday, 02 March 2013 10:32 administrator
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The Times of India       02.03.2013 

Civic body to rehabilitate hawkers near their houses

PUNE: The civic administration has come up with a new hawkers' rehabilitation scheme to rehabilitate hawkers and stall owners near their houses. Nearly 350 displaced hawkers will be rehabilitated as part of the scheme.

"Many hawkers used to come from different parts of the city and also from the fringe areas. The hawkers occupied spaces along roads which resulted in traffic problems. So the administration decided to find a solution, which would benefit the hawkers and solve traffic problems," said Dattatray Langhe, encroachment inspector.

Langhe said the civic administration has planned to resettle the hawkers near their houses.

The hawkers, who were removed during the anti-hawkers' drive, will benefit from this scheme. Only those hawkers who have a valid licence will be entitled to the scheme.

"The hawkers will have to face lesser competition in their respective areas as compared to busy market areas on the main roads. Even the transportation costs and other expenses will be reduced," Langhe said, adding, "The civic administration has communicated the scheme to the ward offices. The hawkers will have to approach the ward offices in their areas to avail of the scheme."

Langhe said locals had complained about the menace of hawkers in different areas of the city. These areas get overburdened with the hawkers.

"It not only causes traffic problems but is also a security risk. The police department too has written us letters to take action to reduce the number of hawkers to avoid traffic congestion on key roads," he added.

Nearly 350 stalls were removed in the recently conducted anti-encroachment drive. There are around 7,500 licensed stall owners in the city. The PMC stopped allotment of licenses from 1997. All those who started doing business after 1997 are doing so illegally. The municipal corporation has recently started a drive to remove hawkers and encroachments from busy roads to reduce traffic problems.
Last Updated on Saturday, 02 March 2013 10:34
 

Industries to take pollution clearance once in 3 years

Thursday, 28 February 2013 11:57 administrator
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The Times of India                28.02.2013

Industries to take pollution clearance once in 3 years

LUCKNOW: A day after chief minister Akhilesh Yadav removed chairman of Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) on charges of corruption following complaints against the board from the industrial sector, he stressed once again the need to promote industries in the state.

"He has already initiated a number of steps in this direction and more are set to follow," said Rajendra Chaudhary spokesperson of the Samajwadi Party's (SP's) state unit and cabinet minister for railways here on Wednesday. "The government has already replaced the policy which made it mandatory for pollution causing industries to seek annual clearance from the UPPCB. In the present policy, industries have to seek clearance once every three years. In between it will be the responsibility of the board to ensure that industries adhere to standards they had promised to apply while seeking clearance from the government," Chaudhary said.
Last Updated on Thursday, 28 February 2013 12:00
 
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