The Indian Express                      22.03.2013

MC to maintain civic amenities around PGI

The Municipal Corporation Chandigarh (MCC) will maintain civic amenities in the vicinity of the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER).

The PGI had requested MC to provide assistance to maintain projects related to widening or re-carpeting of roads, drainage, sewerage and parks for the residential area of the hospital. PGIMER Director Dr Y K Chawla had asked for the help a year ago, which has finally been accepted and approved by the efforts of the councilor of ward number 2, Saurabh Joshi.

Several points were discussed during the meeting, in which Joshi submitted a charter of demands to the Director and Deputy Director of PGI. Amongst other issues discussed, the highlight was Joshi's recommendation that PGI include a budget to ensure that an effective drainage system be put in place to improve the existing poor living conditions of the residents and to improve the longevity of roads in the residential complex.

Considering that the monsoon is approaching, Joshi offered help in expediting the project of making road gullies, which would facilitate effective drainage.

The Indian Express                      22.03.2013

KKPKP protest enters Day 2 as delegation meets PCMC officials

Indefinite protests by as many as 150 members of Kagad Kach Patra Kashtakari Panchayat (KKPKP) outside the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation entered its second day on Thursday.

"KKPKP is repeatedly bringing into the notice of the PCMC authorities that the workers are being paid less wages than the stipulated Rs 254 under the Minimum Wages Act. After no response from the civic body, we decided to hold indefinite dharna from Wednesday," said Laxmi Narayan, a KKPKP member.

Another member Anita Dahake said, "The contractors are intimidating the workers and preventing them from joining the dharna."

A KKPKP delegation met Additional Commissioner Prakash Kadam along with Indalkar (Labour Welfare Officer, PCMC), Rajaram Chavan (SWM) and Amrutrao Sawant (Outgoing Additional Commissioner, PCMC) for over an hour to discuss about the technical aspects of the demands submitted by them.

"Kadam admitted that the records for February, 2013 compiled by KKPKP based on RTI information, prima facie indicated manipulation in the number of attendance days of waste pickers. He instructed the health department to settle the matter before March 31. However, he did not give any commitment on the discrepancies of the previous months nor was he willing to give any assurance on payments," said Narayan.

The workers have been employed by Messrs BVG Kshitij (wards B and C since January 2012) Gadgebaba Maharaj Berojgaar Sanstha, Ramabai Swayamrojgaar Seva Sahakari Sanstha Maryadit and Mahalakshmi Swayamrojgaar Seva Sahakari Sanstha Maryadit (A and D wards) who are in turn contracted by the PCMC for carrying out waste collection in PCMC.