The Indian Express               14.12.2013

Improvements panel asks BMC to slash parking rates

The civic improvements committee has asked the BMC to modify the parking rates proposed in the new parking policy by the civic body. The BMC had proposed to increase the cost of parking by a whopping 300 per cent in popular areas in the city.

"The parking policy is aimed at reducing traffic woes by bringing in some discipline and also encouraging people to make use of public transport. But we have asked the corporation to reduce parking rates," said improvements committee chairman and BJP corporator Ram Barot.

In a meeting Wednesday, the group leaders approved the policy but said that they would oppose it if their suggestions were not incorporated. "The policy lacks the required mechanism. We have said only residents will get a permit to park on the streets in front of their housing societies but what if someone parks their car at night? How will the corporation look into this matter?" asked corporator Rais Shaikh of Samajwadi Party.

Meanwhile, Mayor Sunil Prabhu denied having received any requests for a modification in the policy. "After a discussion with the group leader, the policy has been sent to the improvements committee again. The parking rates will remain the same. A fresh policy will be brought after the suggestions are incorporated," said Prabhu.

Around two weeks ago, the civic improvements committee had rejected the parking policy citing the proposed increase in fares as too high for the common man. The committee referred the proposal back to the BMC and asked the administration to reduce the rates. However, citing space constraints and traffic problems, the BMC said reducing the fares would not be an option.

The Indian Express               14.12.2013

BMC seals deal with SevenHills

After a delay of over four years, the BMC has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Seven Hills Healthcare Private Limited Group, (SHHPL), a multi-specialty hospital on a public-private partnership (PPP) basis in Marol, Andheri (East) on Friday.

Manisha Mhaiskar, BMC's Additional Municipal Commissioner, said "The MoU signed today has some basic conditions. Firstly, 20 per cent beds would be reserved for poor patients free of cost. These beds would include the general wards and the intensive care units. The second term states that all medicines must be provided on par with the MCGM (Municipal corporation of Greater Mumbai) rates."

Mhaiskar added that even the diagnostic facility comprising MRI and CT scans would be done at the prevailing rate of the MCGM. "In the clause, outpatient department hours will be reserved for BMC patients and there has to be no distinction between BMC patient and the other patients. The team of doctors monitoring the patients must also be the same," she added.

The multi-specialty hospital, which was inaugurated in 2009 on a 70,000 sq mt BMC-owned plot, has been at loggerheads with the corporation since 2011 for 'non-compliance' with the agreed rules. With the MoU being signed, SHHPL can expect to receive an occupancy certificate in a week's time.

Dr Hemlata Arora, from SHHPL's administration, said, "Till now, only an agreement was present. With the MoU, several aspects have become concrete. An officer on special duty from BMC will also be assigned in the hospital to overlook everything."

At present, the hospital has a nursing licence of only 306 beds, said Arora. "However, we will be asking for an extension to all 1,500 beds soon," she said.

As per the MoU, the lease is initially for a period of 30 years, which is renewable for a further period of 30 years. The 20 per cent reserved beds will cater to all BMC referred patients including all citizens with valid yellow/orange cards and municipal employees.