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Illegal constructions may invite dismissal from service: Jawed Usmani

Friday, 05 April 2013 11:46 administrator
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The Times of India                       05.04.2013

Illegal constructions may invite dismissal from service: Jawed Usmani

LUCKNOW: Cracking the whip on unauthorised constructions in the state, chief secretaryJawed Usmani on Thursday said that stringent action, including dismissal from service, will be initiated against any officer found aiding and abetting illegal construction in the state. In a meeting with officials of the housing department, Usmani said that a layout plan of all unauthorised construction that was carried out before 2008 should be prepared and the structures charged development taxes, as applicable. The chief secretary also said notifications should be issued, along with layout plans to bring all such unauthorised colonies under the tax net.

Principal secretary, housing, Pravir Kumar identified 2463 unauthorised colonies in 31 development authorities across Uttar Pradesh. Usmani, asking the officials to investigate into why illegal construction had not been brought down despite orders, said action must also be initiated against those officers who wilfully went against the orders to destroy illegal constructions in the state.
Last Updated on Friday, 05 April 2013 11:48
 

Ranchi Municipal Corporation may end deal with A2Z

Friday, 05 April 2013 11:32 administrator
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The Times Of India                       05.04.2013

Ranchi Municipal Corporation may end deal with A2Z

RANCHI: Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) is planning to terminate the 30-year contract with A2Z Waste Management Company as the latter is doing little to keep the city clean.

Deputy CEO of RMC Shailendra Kumar Lal said, "We have been monitoring the work of A2Z Company for the past 15 days and we found that the work is not satisfactory. We spoke to them and they have promised that they will improve. But if they don't, then we will take some strict action against them in two-three days."

It's not even two years after the contract was signed and the waste management company is paying little attention to its work. Piled up garbage is seen on almost all roads, including some posh localities in the city. However, for days A2Z's garbage-collection vans remain elusive. Staff crunch and defunct vehicles are to be blamed.

Shiven Sharma, a resident of Argora, said, "It has been more than a month now that A2Z company has not been paying attention to the cleanliness in our area. The workers come once in five days. But in those five days, the garbage bin overflows and half the road gets covered with garbage."

Many workers of A2Z company had quit as they were not paid well. Those who are working can be seen pulling a small garbage cart behind them or cleaning bins with hands. Chhotu, a sweeper working with A2Z, said, "Earlier, the garbage collection vehicle was used to clean the big bins but now we have to clean them with our hands because our seniors say the vehicles have become defunct."

Naga Baba Khatal, the area where A2Z vehicles are parked, is full of broken vans.

"None of the machines is working properly. Workers are resigning because they are not being paid and the post of managing director and public relations officer at the company is vacant. The company seems to have become directionless," a senior staff at A2Z said on condition of anonymity.

"This month, there are major festivals like Ram Navami, Sarhul and Manda puja. We are planning to use our resources and start a cleanliness drive ahead of festivals as we cannot rely only on A2Z Company anymore," said RMC's Lal.
Last Updated on Friday, 05 April 2013 11:39
 

PCMC says no ‘stringent’ LBT for 6 months

Friday, 05 April 2013 07:48 administrator
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The Indian Express                          05.04.2013

PCMC says no ‘stringent’ LBT for 6 months

The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation has promised to not apply LBT stringently for first six months but shopkeepers and traders remain defiant. For the fourth consecutive day, they kept shops shut, many of them reportedly under coercion of fellow traders.

On Thursday afternoon, traders prevented corporators from entering PCMC headquarters, creating a traffic jam for two hours. They held a daylong dharna. They told corporators that they should oppose LBT in the civic general body meeting and take up the issue with the civic commissioner.

They took out a two-wheeler rally and raised slogans against the government.

At a workshop organised by PCMC for corporators to enlighten them about LBT, Municipal Commissioner Shrikar Pardeshi tried to dispel fear of traders of likely harassment under the LBT regime and said his administration will ensure LBT is not enforced stringently.

"We will go by the rule book, but take up the complaints of the trading community and try to resolve them," he said.

Pardeshi said the industrial community, which accounts for 70 per cent of civic taxes, has accepted LBT, PCMC is not unduly worried about it revenue sources. "Since the industrial community has no problem with LBT, PCMC taxes would not be affected," he said.

Nearly 80 corporators were present at the workshop especially organised by PCMC to remove confusion over LBT.

Meanwhile, Gajanan Babar, MP, leading the agitation in Pimpri Chinchwad, said the bandh on Thursday was also total. "All shops remained closed," he said. Babar said even vegetable markets and medical stores are supporting the strike.

However, R Shah, a shopkeeper, said that at some places small-time traders who wanted to open their shops were forced to close. "Small-time shopkeepers and traders for whom earning daily is crucial to run their homes have been hit hard. They want to keep shops open, but are being forced to down shutters," he said.

 
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