Bylaws flouted, MC seals Park Plaza basement
Saturday, 11 May 2013 11:53
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The Times of India 11.05.2013 Bylaws flouted, MC seals Park Plaza basement
LUDHIANA: Continuing its drive against major establishments which have violated building bylaws, the Ludhiana municipal corporation sealed the underground banquet hall of Park Plaza and other two buildings on Friday.
According to officials, 8 buildings on Ferozepur road violated buildings plans, which were sanctioned by the authorities. These establishments were served notice on May 6. The five-member committee of the MC came into action on May 9 and sealed two buildings. On May 10, besides the banquet hall of Park Plaza, Gujari-a Gujarati handloom shop, and basement of KP Complex was sealed.
Joint commissioner Ajay Sood said all these buildings ignored the MC notice and continued to use the parking space allotted on map for their commercial purpose.
After the sealing drive and survey of all other buildings on Thursday, the committee submitted a report to MC commissioner Rakesh Verma, who further ordered the officials to strictly go by the sanctioned maps of the buildings.
According to officials from the building branch, Park Plaza used the entire parking space for commercial purpose and constructed an underground banquet hall.
Two other buildings, which were sealed today, also utilized all the underground space to construct offices. KP Complex had constructed 5 offices violating the norms.
Gujari, a Gujarati handloom house, was sealed as it used the parking area to build hall on first floor. They had to leave 25 ft at the end of the building for parking.
The MCa??s attention was drawn to these violations as most of the hotels and other commercial buildings were using slip roads for parking, which created traffic problem for commuters. After being served notices, only 3 out of 8 could satisfy norms of building bylaws.
Now, the report will be forwarded to the MC commissioner to take further decision. If the owners wish, they can move the high court to get the seal removed, said Rajinder Sharma, assistant town planner, Zone D.
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5 more consultative panels in NMC soon
Saturday, 11 May 2013 11:43
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The Times of India 11.05.2013 5 more consultative panels in NMC soon
NAGPUR: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) may soon set up consultative committees for legal, sports, property tax, fire and power, besides the six existing committees. A discussion on this will be taken up at the general body meet on May 18. The GB will also discuss five other proposals, including a complete ban on immersion of PoP idols in city limits. However, the agenda does not mention the much-awaited budget.
Mayor Anil Sole issued a circular on Friday about the GB meeting on May 18. Six proposals are on the agenda along with 32 general body questions (GBQs). The meeting is likely to be stormy due to severe water crisis in the city, with private water operator Orange City Water Limited ( OCWL) unable to handle operation and maintenance of water works, and the controversy over direct tapping.
There is a proposal to form five more consultative committees of corporators. Five such committees exist already, including women and child welfare, water works, public works and projects, medical assistance and health, and education. The new committees will be for sports, legal, property tax, fire and power, and sanitation control and house construction.
NMC is also learnt to be planning a separate transport committee sometime in the future.
The GB will finalize guidelines for operation of these committees and the GB itself. The draft guidelines have been prepared by a committee set up by the GB on December 20, 2012. Corporators Dayashankar Tiwari, Praful Gudadhe and others were in that committee.
As for PoP idols, the GB will discuss a ban on manufacture of PoP idols within city limits and also immersing them in water bodies. The GB had given powers to the civic chief to draft a policy on this. Municipal commissioner Shyam Wardhane and his team have finalized the draft policy, which will be put up for the GB's approval.
One proposal is related to taking note of the permission given by Wardhane to anti-corruption bureau to file charge sheet against branch engineer of city development department Rajesh Thombare.
However, the GB agenda does not mention the budget to be presented by chairman of standing committee Avinash Thakre. It was expected in April itself, since Thakre assumed charge on March 5. However, the budget could not be finalized in April, and not listed on the agenda for the GB's May 18 meeting too.
Immediate past chairman Dayashankar Tiwari presented the budget on June 6, 2012. It was noticed and also accepted by Tiwari that much times is required for preparing the plans and bringing into realty at the NMC. Despite appreciable budget, Tiwari's performance was average following failure to implement all projects during his tenure that too in time. A big question arise whether Thakre too becoming Tiwari as against expectations of second Sandip Joshi who was successful chairman.
Meanwhile, NMC inaugurated the property tax billing system and collection counters at four zones. In yet another boost to cash-strapped NMC, the centre has also sanctioned Rs 50 crore for further improvement of e-Governance projects.
Plans worth Rs 2,060 crore approved for Kumbh
Saturday, 11 May 2013 11:40
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The Times of India 11.05.2013 Plans worth Rs 2,060 crore approved for Kumbh
NASHIK: The state government's high powered committee (HPC) for Kumbh arrangements on Friday cleared projects worth Rs 2,060.44 crore to be used for the 2015-16 religious event.
The panel, headed by chief secretary Jayantkumar Banthiya, also asked the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) and the other concerned departments to contribute their share of the funds.
The committee, including additional secretaries and secretaries toured areas in Tapovan, where Sadhu Gram, Shahi Marg (route taken by sadhus from Tapovan to Godavari for the holy dip) and Ram Ghat (where the rituals are performed) are to be created. They also held a two-hour meeting at the Government Guest House to consider proposals worth Rs 4,834.49 crore and identified priority works worth Rs 2,060.44 crore. Major portion of the work will be executed by the NMC with an expenditure of Rs 1,031.91 crore.
"After much deliberation, the HPC finally approved the proposal. It will now be sent to the apex committee chaired by the chief minister for final approval. Thereafter, provision for the funds will be made and allocated to the respective departments," Banthiya said. He added that the NMC and district administration would decide on the process for land acquisition.
The HPC has allocated Rs 200 crore to the civic body for land acquisition and an additional Rs 40 crore for taking 278 acres of land at Nashik and 30 acres of land at Trimbakeshwar on lease from the farmers to be used during Kumbh.
However, Banthiya said that no decision is taken regarding the Kumbh Mela Act like the one existing in Allahabad. The apex committee headed by the chief minister would discuss the issue, he added.
The committee also decided to set up a technical unit under the executive committee for all the construction work. "There was a demand for an executive engineer. He and his team will assist the collectorate to look after construction work. We have decided to arrange for officials on deputation basis," Banthia said.
The committee also asked the departments to contribute. "In the Kumbh mela 2003-04, the state government gave Rs 75 crore and Central government gave Rs 100 crore of the total Rs 448 crore. The government agencies had given the rest of the Rs 273 crore. We will follow the same procedure " a senior official said.
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