The Times of India                     01.12.2010

Chlorine purchase by civic admin under scanner

PUNE: The Pune municipal administration is in the dock over the purchase of chlorine gas for Rs 1.91 crore a higher price compared to previous purchases of the gas without the knowledge of or permission from the standing committee.

"The standing committee was shocked to know that the civic administration has purchased chlorine gas for sewage water purification plants in the city without the permission from or knowledge of the standing committee. No tenders were floated and the civic administration went ahead with the purchase. We have asked for the explanation of the same," said standing committee chairman Arvind Shinde speaking to reporters following the committee meeting on Tuesday.

Shinde added that V G Kulkarni, PMC development engineer (water supply), told the committee members that the administration had purchased the gas and wanted the standing committee's permission for the deal.

"We observed that there is difference in the rates compared to the gas purchase last time. The committee has asked the administration to present the report on the same," Shinde said.

The lethal liquid or green gas is mixed with the wastewater from sewage treatment plants in order to kill disease-causing microorganisms before the water is discharged into the river.

Meanwhile, the standing committee asked the civic administration to table details about the proposal to revive its water supply contract with the state irrigation department. The water supply contract had ended in August and with the demand for water growing steadily, the PMC has proposed to revive the contract. "We have asked the civic administration to submit more details about the proposal as soon as possible," Shinde said.

In a proposal tabled before the standing committee, municipal commissioner Mahesh Zagade sought powers to make a contract and pay the irrigation department as per the state government's water charges.

Despite a sanctioned quota of 11.5 thousand million cubic (TMC) feet, the city has used 12.64 TMC water in 2007-08 and 14.01 TMC in 2008-09. The municipal commissioner has hinted that the city might need more water in future, considering the rise in population.