The Times of India          09.11.2013

Get water connection registered at low cost before November 30

VARANASI: Mayor Ramgopal Mohale has asked the general manager of Jal Kal to take the connection charges as per the simplified scheme from those whose connection will be regularised by Jal Kal before November 31.

In his letter, the mayor has asked the GM to charge Rs 500, Rs 1,000, Rs 2,000 and Rs 3,000 for the connection of houses bearing an area of 500 square feet, 500-1000 square feet, 1001-2000 square feet and more than 2001 square feet, respectively. According to the mayor the step will benefit the general public who otherwise would have to pay Rs 3,000 for getting their connection registered in the Jal Kal records.

Meanwhile, commenting on the proposal made by the mayor, GM Jal-Kal BK Pandey said this was a drive to motivate maximum number of people to get their water connections registered on a comparatively lower charge. According to the mayor the drive continue till November 31. It is worth to mention here that initially the local body had fixed the connection charges at approximately Rs 3,000.

"Even if we are able to register 20% of the water connections, it will boost our recurring revenue generation to the tune of Rs one crore every financial year. Though the connection fee will not yield any significant addition to the revenue," opined the official.

Demonstration for VMC staff's security on Nov 12: Members of the voluntary organisation Dr Ambedkar Swachchkar Kalyan Nyas will stage a demonstration on November 12 at the Varanasi Municipal Corporation (VMC) to mark protest against mal practices like 'sudkhori' and 'dasturi', prevalent in the system.

Talking to reporters here on Friday, the president of the body, Gopal Prasad said a large number of sweepers were victim of these bad practices that recently resulted in the death of a cleaning staff's husband.

The orgainisation will raise their nine-point demands during the demonstration. These demands mainly intend to provide safe and secure system for the members of the cleaning staff of VMC who are often abused and subjected to violence by those involved in the business of money lending on higher interest.

The organisation is also active in helping the down trodden in getting educated and aware through camps organised at regular periods at Durgakund, Bhainsasur, Maidagin and Shivpurva slums.

The Hindu            09.11.2013

NDMC to check all buildings in Khan Market

The New Delhi Municipal Council has initiated a safety inspection of buildings in the Khan Market area, nearly two months after a building partially collapsed in the location.

“There have been continuous renovation and construction in the Khan Market area and it has become structurally unsafe overtime. We are entering each and every building and shop and checking their safety,” said NDMC chairperson Jalaj Srivastava.

Safety inspection is the first step in the direction of implementing the Khan Market Redevelopment Plan, which also includes fire safety measures and has been lying in abeyance since 2011.

“A team of NDMC officials will test each and every building in the area before we start the redevelopment project. Measures would be taken if any building by-law violation is found,” Mr. Srivastava said.

This comes almost two months after the first floor of an under-renovation building for designer Ritu Kumar partially collapsed which resulted in the second floor caving in and the ground floor, which houses a bank, developing fissures.

One of the major components of the redevelopment plan is fire safety measures. The NDMC in 2011 had allowed commercial activity on the first floor which was earlier reserved only for residential purposes. Since then, the restaurants are loading the building by putting heavy water tanks and generator sets there, which according to traders, put a lot of pressure on old structures.

The initial fire plan included a metal walkway in the central lane to help people descend in case of a fire. But, according to Mr. Srivastava, the walkway is not feasible as it will not leave enough space for people to walk in the area.

Parking is also a major concern which has time and again proved to be a sore spot in the area. Currently one acre land is being used for parking which does not cater to the parking needs of the area.

“The plan is to expand the parking area. We are also looking at the concept of ‘Built Parkway’, in which people park their vehicles at a parking near the location and travel by other modes from there,” Mr. Srivastava said. This is one of the best ways to decongest Khan Market, he added.