The Indian Express   02.08.2012

MC moots college at Manimajra

 The Municipal Corporation has approved a proposal for earmarking land in Manimajra for setting up a college. With the construction of colleges not under the purview of the civic body, the proposal will be sent to the UT Administration for consideration.

Around 2 lakh people reside in Manimajra, out of the total population of 10.54 lakh of the city. Manimajra is divided into two wards due to its size. However, there is no college - government or private - that could cater to the students there. The city colleges are present in Sector 10, 11, 32, 36, 42 and 46. It has been proposed that a letter be sent to the Administration asking for a college to be built in the area. Since the land in Manimajra belongs to the Municipal Corporation the civic body would allocate some land for the purpose.

Area councillor Des Raj Gupta says the students from Manimajra have to commute a long distance to reach the colleges. “The area while houses a huge population has no college present here. It would be beneficial for the students, especially girls who find it difficult to commute everyday. MC has a lot of land available in the area. This could be identified and earmarked. A proposal would be sent to the Administration for setting up the college,” said Gupta.

The idea for setting up a college in Manimajra had earlier been floated when a comprehensive proposal for development of Pocket 8 in the area was prepared. However, the development project is on hold for the past few years after some residents went to court against it. It has now been proposed that instead of stalling the development of the area and delaying the setting up the college any further, a fresh piece of land could be identified and earmarked for the purpose. In fact the development of Pocket 8 also entailed proposals like construction of a community centre and a school. A detailed plan for this was made.

Mayor Raj Bala Malik said that there was a need to start a college in the area and the proposal will be sent to the UT. She added that while higher education is not under the the MC, the civic body would support it.

The Indian Express   02.08.2012

Panel to probe anomalies in installing e-learning equipment

The PMC Education Board has appointed a five-member committee to inquire into complaints of alleged financial irregularities and anomalies in installation of electronic equipment in civic schools for its e-learning initiative. There have been complaints that the irregularities run into a few crores.

“The committee will look into allegations of financial irregularities in purchase of electronic equipment for the e-learning initiative. The five-member committee’s report would be submitted in 15 days so that action can be initiated against those responsible for any irregularity,” said Baba Dhumal, chairman of PMC Education Board. There have been allegations that the PMC Education Board released the amount for installation of electronic equipment in civic schools before the actual installation had taken place.

The PMC has also submitted a report on infrastructure at civic schools, Dhumal said adding that around 300 classrooms were found to be in poor condition and a recommendation has been made to get them repaired. To ensure proper infrastructure in civic schools, the 15-member Education Board has divided the city into 15 areas and each member would visit and look into civic school infrastructure in the allotted area, Dhumal said.

Meanwhile, the Board has started distribution of uniform and educational material to civic school students. “The proposal pending in the PMC general body for long had caused the delay. We now plan to complete the distribution of uniform and educational material by August 15,” he said.

The mid-day meal scheme that was being implemented through a self-help grouphas been given an extension of one month as there has been no decision on setting up a centralised kitchen for preparing the meal as recommended by state government, Dhumal said.

Protests against Board member

Several women staff of the PMC Education Board on Wednesday protested against a member of the Board alleging harassment. Education Board chairman Baba Dhumal apologised on behalf of Board member Ram Borkar of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) against whom they were agitating. “The issue has been sorted out,” said Dhumal. Borkar, however, said the agitation was over information sought by him on recruitment by the Board made early this year.