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VMC launches mechanised kitchen for school students

Friday, 06 November 2009 11:41 administrator
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Indian Express 6.11.2009

VMC launches mechanised kitchen for school students

The students of Vadodara Municipal Corporation-run schools relished pulao and thepla on Thursday as the civic body inaugurated its new service of mechanised kitchen for them.

The VMC has taken this initiative in collaboration with Akshaya Patra, an NGO, which has built a mechanised kitchen in the Makarpura area at the cost of Rs 4.26 crore.

The trust will be funded for three years by as many companies, including Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals Limited (GACL),

Gujarat State Fertilisers and Chemicals (GSFC), and Gujarat Industries Power Company Ltd (GIPCL).

Calling it a “revolution”, City Mayor Balkrishna Shukla said at the inaugural function that the quality of the food and its nutritious value “will not be compromised”.

While the function saw protest from the mid-day meal workers on their removal from duty, the mayor announced they would be given jobs as per their qualifications.

The students of Vadodara Municipal Corporation-run schools relished pulao and thepla on Thursday as the civic body inaugurated its new service of mechanised kitchen for them.

The VMC has taken this initiative in collaboration with Akshaya Patra, an NGO, which has built a mechanised kitchen in the Makarpura area at the cost of Rs 4.26 crore.

The trust will be funded for three years by as many companies, including Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals Limited (GACL),

Gujarat State Fertilisers and Chemicals (GSFC), and Gujarat Industries Power Company Ltd (GIPCL).

Calling it a “revolution”, City Mayor Balkrishna Shukla said at the inaugural function that the quality of the food and its nutritious value “will not be compromised”.

While the function saw protest from the mid-day meal workers on their removal from duty, the mayor announced they would be given jobs as per their qualifications.

Last Updated on Friday, 06 November 2009 11:47
 

Soon, MC firemen to be under insurance cover

Friday, 06 November 2009 05:39 administrator
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The Times of India 06.11.2009

Soon, MC firemen to be under insurance cover

Deepak Yadav, TNN 6 November 2009, 04:15am IST

CHANDIGARH: Dousing the raging concern of 220 firemen working in municipal corporation who risk their life and limb to save others, UT
 
administration has finally approved the proposal of providing them an insurance cover.

The civic body has reportedly received a list of premiums from five insurance companies, out of which one would be selected soon.

There are 220 firefighters in the MC wing who are always on the job. Of these, families of around 70 reside in seven stations of the city.

”The matter got delayed as earlier the companies had offered cover for only eight hours, saying this was the job span of the firemen. However, MC rejected this argument, saying these brave men were always on duty as they had to respond to emergency calls and operations. So, a 24-hour cover was sought,” an MC official said.

Agreeing to the terms, five firms have shown interest in insuring the MC employees. “We are scrutinizing the policies. The company seeking the lowest premium, extending full risk cover and having the best offer will be selected,” the official added.

The lack of risk blanket was felt strongly when a city fireman, Amarjit Singh, lost his life while putting off a blaze in Sector 22 around one year ago. With no insurance offered, his family members continue to fight for compensation.

Following the incident, nominated councillor Brig (retd) Kuldeep Singh Chandpuri raised the issue in MC. The agenda received a unanimous nod during house meeting.
 

Few takers for mayor

Friday, 06 November 2009 04:53 administrator
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Deccan Chronicle 06.11.2009

Few takers for mayor

November 6th, 2009
By Our Correspondent
Tags: GHMC elections, mayor

Hyderabad
Nov. 5: The coveted mayor’s post has lost its charm following a change in rules, and top leaders appear disinterested in the race to be the first citizen of the Greater Hyderabad.

Unlike in the past, the Mayor will be elected from among the 150 ward members. This means the mayoral candidate will have to contest from a ward, and his party will have to win majority in the House.

The 62 ex-officio members of the corporation — MPs, MLAs, MLCs, — will have voting rights in mayoral election and could tilt the balance. Earlier, the mayor was elected directly by the voters.

The Mayor’s post comes with big perks: He receives all ranking dignitaries visiting the city and is invited to all state government functions in the city. He will hold a Cabinet minister rank, and will have the privilege of a “red lamp” atop his car. The mayor’s name will figure on all plaques marking state functions.

Heavyweights like Mr D. Nagender of the Congress and Mr T. Srinivas Yadav and Mr T. Krishna Reddy of the TD, whose names were bandied about for the mayoral post, are not willing to contest for the post.

Mr Krishna Reddy, a former mayor, said: “I was elected Mayor in the 2002 MCH elections by voters from 13 Assembly constituencies. How can one expect me to contest a ward election now?”

Mr Krishna Reddy had lost the elections held earlier this year narrowly to Ms Sabitha Indra Reddy from the Maheshwaram Assembly segment. Sources said the TD is pressing Mr Krishna Reddy to enter the GHMC fray.

The MIM, which claims it is the favourite in the mayoral race, is keeping mum on its candidate. The party has fielded Mr Mir Zulfiqar Ali from Hussaini Alam ward this time but has not named him as its mayoral candidate. Mr Ali has lost the mayoral race in 2002.

The Congress has decided to name its mayoral candidate only after the results are announced. Sources said the name of senior Congress leader, Mr Pitla Krishna, tops of the list of probables.

 
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