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BMC panel chiefs in Shanghai for meet on water management

Wednesday, 05 June 2013 10:11 administrator
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The Indian Express              05.06.2013

BMC panel chiefs in Shanghai for meet on water management

Chairmen of civic improvements and education committees left for Shanghai, China, Tuesday for an international meet on water management.

The BMC leaders, who will return to the city on June 10, claimed the trip expenses would be borne independently by them. "I have issued a cheque to BMC for my trip expenditure," said NCP leader Dhananjay Pisal.

"I have looked into the city's monsoon preparedness. The information obtained from the meet will benefit BMC," said Mayor Sunil Prabhu, who is also likely to attend the conference.

"After learning about Shanghai's water and waste management system, we can hopefully implement some of the ideas in Mumbai," said civic improvements committee chief Ram Barot of BJP.

Leader of the house in BMC Yashodhar Phanse of Shiv Sena and MNS leader Dilip Lande said they would not participate in the meet. Standing committee chairman Rahul Shewale said he had to attend the Shiv Sena morcha against Tata Power on Friday.

Last month, BMC general body approved a proposal by Shiv Sena corporator Abhishek Ghosalkar who demanded the civic body include corporators in any educational trips senior civic officers may undertake through the international organisation Citynet.

In July last year, Prabhu, along with some corporators, visited Singapore for the much-hyped 'Mayor Forum 2012' conference. On their return, the Mayor proposed a system for generating electricity by recycling garbage and reusing water treated in an innovative sewage treatment plants. Nearly a year later, the corporation has yet to seriously consider implementing any of these proposed mechanisms in the city. 

 

PMC puts off decision on hike in penalty for hawkers

Wednesday, 05 June 2013 09:44 administrator
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The Indian Express              05.06.2013

PMC puts off decision on hike in penalty for hawkers

Elected representatives in the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Tuesday continued to postpone the decision on civic administration's proposal seeking an increase in penalty on hawkers while returning their seized goods and the introduction of pay and park system for two-wheelers on 15 major city roads.

"We discussed the proposal seeking hike in penalty on hawkers. However, it was felt that the hike was too much and it should be reconsidered," said NCP leader Subhash Jagtap, after attending a meeting chaired by Mayor Vaishali Bankar.

The PMC anti-encroachment cell regularly takes action against hawkers encroaching city roads and pavements. They seize their goods and return the non-perishable goods after penalising them.

When asked about the delay in implementing pay and park system, he said the elected representatives are yet to go through the proposal.

"In the past, the civic administration had proposed to introduce pay and park system on 46 city roads. However, the leaders urged to implement the system on 15 major city roads initially. As of now, there is no clarity on the 15 roads that will implement the system," he said.

The pay and park proposal have been opposed by political parties for the past two years citing inability of civic administration to provide efficient public transport system for citizens.

However, the Union and state government have been urging the civic bodies to discourage the use of private vehicles by introducing pay and park system.

'Pathak shielding errring civic officers'

Elected representatives in the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Tuesday alleged that Municipal Commissioner Mahesh Pathak was shielding civic officers facing allegations of wrongdoing while discharging duties. Addressing the media, Mayor Vaishali Bankar said, "Allegations against civic officers were raised at the meeting of party leaders. However, no stern action has been taken against such erring officers." NCP leader Subhash Jagtap said civic chief wanted the charges to be investigated before holding any civic officer responsible. "Pathak said he has ordered an inquiry into the allegations against the anti-encroachment department chief Ramesh Shelar. Action will be taken after the findings of the inquiry," he said. 

 

Palike seeks Rs 25 cr to tide over rain disasters

Wednesday, 05 June 2013 07:49 administrator
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Deccan Herald              05.06.2013

Palike seeks Rs 25 cr to tide over rain disasters

The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has sought Rs 25 crore from the State government’s calamity relief fund. BBMP Commissioner M Lakshminarayana said the calamity relief fund was reserved only for the rural areas, while it was also required in the urban areas.

“The BBMP is not getting the calamity relief fund. The convention is to spend it only in the rural areas, while it is essentially required in cities like Bangalore,” said Lakshminarayana.

Given that the State government has promised all assistance to the BBMP, the amount may be released, said Lakshminarayana.

He was addressing a press conference convened by Mayor D Venkatesh Murthy to brief about the action taken by the Palike in view of the heavy rains recently.

Murthy said the City  had never received 109 mm rainfall on a single day in the last many years. At Kathriguppe, a culvert is on the verge of caving in due to the massive flood, while many potholes have surfaced on important roads in the City.

Taking a lesson from the recent flooding, the Palike has prepared a roadmap, according to which assistance will be provided to those who suffered damages due to heavy rain. It is in this regard that the calamity relief fund will be utilised.

The Palike has taken up desilting of drains on a war-footing and instructions have been given on effective disaster management, Murthy said.

 
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