Soon, CCTV cameras at PCMC offices

PUNE: The standing committee of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) on Tuesday approved a proposal to install close-circuit television cameras in all municipal offices, civic hospitals and octroi posts.

Addressing a news conference here on Tuesday, committee chairman Dnyaneshwar Bhalerao said that the idea came from a proposal tabled by the civic administration to synchronise traffic signals at important chowks at an expenditure of Rs 45.85 lakh.

During the meeting, officials said that the cameras to be installed at the traffic signals will also get images of unruly motorists. The committee members then expressed the need to install this system at all municipal properties to improve security.

The members suggested that the cameras should be installed at all the civic hospitals water purification plants and water tanks. There is no limit on spending on this proposal as the committee has approved the actual expenditure that will be incurred on the project.

Another proposal tabled on Tuesday was regarding concession to ex-servicemen in property tax. Bhalerao said that the administration had proposed 50 per cent concession in the general taxes to ex-servicemen having houses on an area less than 1,500 sq.ft. But they will have to pay the full education tax, drainage tax and utility taxes.

Saying that ex-servicemen have been granted 100 per cent concession in property tax in Thane, member Prashant Shitole asked this benefit is denied to residents of Pimpri-Chinchwad.

“The committee amended the proposal and approved 100 per cent concession in general tax to ex-servicemen living in houses with an area of 1,500 sq.ft. The proposal will be sent to the general body,” Bhalerao said.

This concession will not be given for commercial properties. The ex-servicemen or their wives have to submit the proof of living certificate every year besides discharge certificate, pension payment order and copy of the identity card to the PCMC to get the benefit. The benefit will be given only to those ex-servicemen who are receiving pension.

The standing committee also approved developmental projects with a total expenditure of Rs 48.98 crore during the meeting.