The Hindu         22.03.2011

Official inspects GVMC projects

Quality must get priority in all the projects taken up by the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation, AP Urban Finance and Infrastructure Development Corporation Managing Director K. Bhoopal Reddy has said.

He inspected the work going on, on Asilmetta flyover, sump-cum-pump house at Convent Junction, housing at Jnanapuram, Gangulagedda regularisation, Tatipudi pipeline, Pendurti and Simhachalam corridors and removal of encroachments on them on Monday morning.

In the evening, he saw the water supply works at Duvvada, Laksmipuram reservoir meant for 32 merged villages, supply and distribution work at Gajuwaka and housing at Pulaganipalem.

Mr. Bhoopal Reddy directed officials to make projects operational only after completion of work in a satisfactory manner and after third party verification.

Municipal Commissioner V.N. Vishnu, APUFIDC technical expert N.V. Rao and Chief Engineer B. Jayarami Reddy participated.

Pension scheme

Government has introduced a pension scheme on pilot basis for construction workers in Visakhapatnam, Chittor and Mahbubnagar districts, according to Municipal Commissioner V.N. Vishnu.

The scheme “Swavalamban” is meant for workers between 18 and 50 years of age. Special camps will be run from March 22 to 28 to enrol in the scheme by paying an annual premium of Rs.200. The Labour Board and the Union Government will pay Rs.1,000 each. If a worker joins the scheme at the age of 18 years, he will get a maximum monthly pension of Rs.3,391 after 60 years.

The Hindu          22.03.2011

Deputy Mayor objects to Nirvani occupying Mayor's office

N.B. Nirvani who had resigned as Mayor of Belgaum City Corporation about a fortnight ago is illegally using the office and other facilities, including the official car, said Deputy Mayor Dhanraj Gavali.

Mr. Nirvani had resigned on March 9 in protest against the alleged humiliation caused to him by the officials concerned and the State Government as he was not taken into confidence while preparations were being made for the Vishwa Kannada Sammelan held between March 11 and 13. He alleged that he was not extended the invitation for the inaugural function also let alone inviting him to other programmes organised as part of the sammelan. He said that he had resigned as the treatment meted out to him was a blow to his self-respect.

But, he changed his mind in less than 24 hours and yielded to counseling by Kannada and Culture minister Govind Karjole, district in-charge Minister Umesh V. Katti and senior leaders of the district. He announced to withdraw his resignation sending confusing signals.

However, Mr. Nirvani sent confusing signals by announcing the withdrawal of his resignation within 24 hours after submitting it. It is said that he changed his mind after Minister for Kannada and Culture Govind Karjol, district in-charge Minister Umesh V. Katti and others spoke to him after he submitted his resignation.

However, Deputy Mayor Dhanraj Gavali, an advocate by profession and the former Secretary of Belgaum Bar Association, maintained that Mr. Nirvani had submitted his resignation under Section 10, Clause 5 & 7 of the Karnataka Municipality Act, 1976, to him. Mr. Gavali added that he had accepted the resignation and forwarded it to the Council Secretary for the purpose of record.

Once the resignation is accepted as per the KMC Act, the Mayor cannot withdraw his or her resignation. Therefore, the office of the Mayor of BCC stands vacant from March 9 and Mr. Nirvani has no legal right to occupy the office or the Mayor's chair or use official car and other facilities. Meanwhile, the Regional Commissioner is still awaiting clarification from the State Government on holding election to the post of Deputy Mayor along with the Mayor's post on March 31.

The term of Mr. Nirvani, had he not resigned, would have ended on March 30. Since the election to the Deputy Mayor's post was held on October 28, the Regional Commissioner has sought clarification on the matter from the State Government.