NMC meetings take hours but produce no minutes

The City of Nagpur Corporation (CNC) Act makes it mandatory for the civic body to record minutes of the proceedings of any meeting and table them before the next meeting for confirmation. However, the administration has failed to follow it. Now, minutes of as many as 26 meetings of general body and 11 meetings of standing committee convened between February 2009 and June 2011 will be passed in Friday's special general body meeting.

Sources in NMC said that in 2009, six general body meetings were held including four special and two ordinary meetings. Similarly, 11 standing committee meetings were held in 2010. Likewise, two ordinary and eight special general body meetings were held in 2010. Three ordinary and seven special general body meetings were held in 2011. In these meetings, corporators put up many proposals to carry out developmental works in their respective wards. The officials did not prepare minutes of a single meeting.

Corporators expressed concern over the lethargic attitude of the civic administration and they blamed Mayor Archana Dehankar for failure to ensure timely preparations of minutes of the meetings. NCP corporator Vedprakash Arya pointed out that Sections 44 of CNC Act enjoined the administration to prepare minutes of any meeting within seven days. It was the responsibility of the Mayor to ensure entire proceedings were included in the minutes and later they should be either produced at next meeting or the mayor should read out the proceedings of previous meet.

The CNC Act also made it mandatory for the corporation to send the proceedings of general body and standing committee meetings to the state government for approval. Since 2007, when BJP came to power, these rules have been ignored, alleged Arya. He also suspected manipulation in preparing minutes. How could a corporator remember what he or she said in the house in 2009, he asked.

senior officers 43 posts vacant in Nagpur City

The forensic laboratory in Nagpur is too plagued by numbers of vacancy. There are 43 posts vacant out of sanctioned 133. Crucial posts of several senior officers are also vacant. Out of 24 posts of assistant chemical analysers, 11 are vacant. Five out of nine posts of senior scientific assistant officers are also vacant. Three out of 19 posts of scientific assistants are vacant. There are vacancies in the nine posts of laboratory attendants out of 31.

A senior source from Regional Forensic Science Laboratory said state home department has been repeatedly reminded about filling up the vacancies but to no avail. "There is no use appointing scientists if there are no assistants and auxiliary staff," said the officer. "The pendency will keep on rising as there is already heavy workload."

MSEDCL says Little chance of towns going power cut free

The hopes of lakhs of people living in small cities and towns of Maharashtra to enjoy a power cut free life may be dashed as the much-hyped MSEDCL petition to make these areas load-shedding free is not accompanied with requisite data. Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC), which will hear the petition on Wednesday, is likely to ask MSEDCL to supply additional data.

There is every likelihood that ruling party politicians will accuse MERC of scuttling the plans to make the state load-shedding free conveniently ignoring the gaping holes in MSEDCL's petition.

MSEDCL in its petition has stated that it planned to make urban and semi-urban areas coming under A, B, C and D divisions load-shedding free. Eighty-three out of 139 divisions are eligible. As per MSEDCL, it will need 200 MW round the clock from January to June and another 200 MW from March to June during peak hours to make this possible.

The health department of Nagpur Municipal Corporation has suspended licence of Hotels and bar

The health department of Nagpur Municipal Corporation has suspended licence of a prominent Sadar eatery Arjun Bar and Restaurant for maintaining poor hygiene. However, the suspension will come into effect from February 1, as the corporation has given restaurant owner one month's time to appeal against its order.

A show cause notice was given to the owner of Arjun Bar and Restaurant Vishnu Lade asking him to explain his case. "We also recommended certain changes in the kitchens. His licencewas suspended as the owner did not give satisfactory replies,'' NMC health officer (sanitation) Dr Milind Ganvir said. "We have allowed him one month's time as per the provisions of the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act 1962,'' he said.

The owner can appeal against the notice to Food and Drugs Commissioners office at Mumbai under Section 5(7) of the Act,'' he said. The health department had sent notices against several eateries for violation of licenceconditions. Ganvir added, "These hotels had already been served notices to apply for gradation and licences. However, neither did they apply for licence nor did they reply to the notice. As per provisions of the City of Nagpur Corporation Act, after one month, if the owner failed to reply to notice we can order closure of these hotels."

NMC taking environ status report way too casually?

Once again, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has appointed Global Scientific Incorporated (GSI) to conduct the key Environmental Status Report (ESR) for 2010-11. The company has been preparing the ESR for the NMC since 2002, with a gap in between. This year, the NMC issued work orders on July 6, 2010. Why is the ESR awarded to the same consultant year after year is a question that remains unanswered.

Surprisingly, the ESR for the year 2008-09 was never prepared, informed an NMC official. Preparation of the ESR is mandated following the 74th Constitution amendment in the 12th schedule for every corporation.

Unhappy with the incomplete reports submitted in the past, the environmental ministry of the government of Maharashtra has issued NMC strict guidelines for preparing the ESR this year. The ministry has specified creation of a working group comprising environmental NGOs, research organizations, industry and university representatives to be headed by the commissioner. The group is expected to give valuable inputs, without whose involvement the ESR is incomplete.

MSEDCL and its franchisee Spanco MSEDCL and its franchisee Spanco at Nagpur

Lack of coordination between MSEDCL and its franchisee Spanco has started causing problems to Nagpurians in scorching heat. It now seems that the takeover was hasty as a lot of issues have not been sorted out.

This was apparent on Friday when the current transformer of Bijlinagar substation (in Spanco area) burst. The supply to parts of Dharampeth along VIP Road falling in Congress Nagar division was affected for about four hours. Some consumers who, rang up Shankar Nagar substation were told that power failure was due to a breakdown in Spanco area and they should contact the franchisee authorities. The consumers then called up Spanco helpline 6660000 only to be told that Dharampeth was not in the franchisee's jurisdiction and they should contact MSEDCL.

Dharampeth resident Pratap Atre was disgusted over this buck-passing. "Has the city been partitioned between two companies so that they can blame each other instead of attending the faults," he asked.

This seems to be the case for Ramdaspeth which faced a power failure between three to four hours and then intermittent power supply till 5pm. Dhantoli distribution centre staffers blamed Spanco even though the reason was a local breakdown.

The procedure for use of MSEDCL facilities by Spanco is not clear to authorities of both companies. Spanco had to seek help of MSEDCL testing squad in repairing the transformer at Bijlinagar substation on Friday. The franchisee authorities did not seek permission of nodal officer MS Kele before doing so. They contacted superintending engineer (testing) JM Pardhi, who sent a quad.

Pardhi told TOI that the MSEDCL would charge Spanco for providing services to it. "Normally we charge Rs 5,000 for testing a substation transformer. The rates for Spanco will be decided soon by me, nodal officer and EE (testing)," he said.

Association of State Medical Interns (ASMI) co-ordinator from Government Medical College and Hospital (ASMI) ayurveda interns' stir continues

There appears to be no breakthrough for the striking interns, both the medical and the ayurveda interns. Their respective departments, the medical education department and the department of Ayush are expecting the interns to withdraw the strike first to negotiate the hike in the stipend. But the interns are in no mood to respond to any verbal assurances and have decided to continue with the hunger strike.

Speaking to the TOI, the Association of State Medical Interns (ASMI) co-ordinator from Government Medical College and Hospital (ASMI) S Abhishek said that the association would not withdraw the strike unless it got an assurance in writing. "We do not trust the medical education department on verbal assurances. We want a written assurance," he insisted. But the medical education secretary Milind Mhaiskar was hardly moved by these threats. "It is for them to decide what they want. We are ready for the talk only if they withdraw the strike," he told TOI.

Similarly, Kuldeep Kohli, the director of department of Ayush, too is in no mood to succumb to interns' pressure. He is, in fact, threatened to impose the Essential Service Maintenance Act (ESMA) on the striking interns if they do not withdraw the strike within 24 hours. But in response to the warning, the ayurveda interns from four colleges are now expected to be joined by all the government colleges. "We are going to Mumbai on Sunday and will co-ordinate with other colleges to continue with the stir," said Manoj Patil, the interns' representative from Shri Ayuvedic College. Patil told TOI that the college administration had already issued them warning letters.

Meanwhile, deputy mayor Shekhar Sawarbandhe and BJP MLA Devendra Fadnavis met the striking interns and assured them complete support. Sawarbhandhe is learnt to have even spoken to Kohli over the issue.

Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) resolution to improve the city traffic and transport system.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ruled Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has overlooked the directives of both the central and state governments while allocating funds for city traffic during the budget for the current financial year 2011-2012. In fact, the corporation has not even followed its earlier resolution to improve the city traffic and transport system.

Sources said that in March 2010, the NMC had received directions from both central and state government to give importance to city traffic. Subsequently, the NMC explored the possibility of setting up a City Traffic Fund (CTF) to boost efforts at creating a better public transport system. Its plans also included upgrading existing traffic signals, installing new signals, CCTVs and signboards and improving parking system. The NMC had also passed a proposal to this effect in its special general meeting on March 19, 2010.

As per the proposal, the CTF could be funded through income from parking charges, city transport service (Starbus), advertising revenue from bus stops and income from anti-encroachment drives, outdoor advertising policy etc. Besides, it had also agreed to divert road tax collected from state transport department to traffic management. Revenue collected from road cuttings (by various agencies) will also be utilised for the development of the city traffic.

The NMC had also planned to open a separate bank account in the name of CTF and use all the revenue collected in it only for the improvement and maintenance of city traffic system.

This year's NMC budget, however, exposes how serious the corporation is about improving city traffic. The NMC has earmarked Rs 60 lakh for painting zebra crossing, which is missing in almost all important and busy junctions. The truth is that out of Rs 60 lakh, Rs 50 lakh is saved for clearing last year's unpaid bills. Similarly, Rs 1 crore has been sanctioned for improvement of road conditions. Of this amount, Rs 90 lakh will be paid to clear the outstanding dues of 2010-11. Likewise, Rs 50 lakh dues will be cleared from Rs 60 lakh sanctioned for improvement of parking facility across the city.

Since many traffic signal poles are more than two decades old, an amount of Rs 2.50 crore has been sanctioned but Rs 2.40 crore will be used to clear last year's dues. The bottom line is that the NMC has provided only Rs 55 lakh for the city traffic works this year.

The NMC is not short of dreams though and hopes to collect Rs 5 crore from road tax, Rs 2.5 crore from parking, Rs 5 crore from advertisements, Rs 5.50 crore from bus royalty and Rs 4.50 crore from road cuttings. NMC chief accounts officer Madan Gadge admitted that a major chunk of the funds sanctioned this year will be diverted to clear the outstanding dues. He, however, pointed out that required funds would be made available for improvement of city traffic scenario and revised budget of municipal commissioner is yet to come.

Nagpur police, a BIG house of corruption

The student said that inspired by Anna Hazare, he had decided to get the cop caught while accepting bribe but his parent intervened and advised him not to invite their wrath. He then quietly paid Rs 1,000 to the cop and got the routine procedure completed.

It is just a tip of the iceberg. Police remain among the most corrupt departments anywhere. Manoj Purandare, a resident of north Nagpur, claimed that even basic work like reporting a theft could not be done without bribing the officials or using some influence. Purandare said that recently his neighbour had gone to a police station to lodge a complaint when he lost valuables including mobile phone to a pickpocket. The police were just not ready to register the complaint but when offered a bribe, they did.

In many cases, the complainants were forced to report that their valuables had gone missing when in reality they were stolen. Victims are even threatened if they insist on lodging complaints. "Even if a case somehow gets registered, police do not take any action," alleged a resident who did not wish to be named.

There are many things for which men in khakhi demand gratification. One is to speed up investigations. Complainants claimed cops did not move against suspects unless palms were greased. Otherwise, they do not even spare the grieving families for completing inquest panchanama of a person who had committed suicide. Cops are known to encash the opportunity if someone even goes to report accident case. Besides, the police often torture people until a 'confession' is obtained to save influential and wealthy offenders.

The traffic cops are infamous for exploiting citizens. They demand and accept bribes from not only traffic violators but also allow illegal vendors to do business on busy roads. For instance, vendors at busy Variety Square are always blocking the road under the patronage of traffic cops.

A senior police official admitted it was really a matter of shame for the department. The fact is that there were many black sheep who were not ashamed to demand money for little things, he said. "These characters bring a bad name to entire department which otherwise is doing well," he said. Besides, many cops were nabbed by Anti-Corruption Bureau while demanding and accepting bribes. Many also faced suspension.

Ways To Eradicate Corruption

Overtime for cops: One reason for corruption in police is that policemen are underpaid and overworked. Cops often put in more than eight hours and sometimes work round the clock. Still, they never get overtime. If they get paid better, there will be less corruption to some extent

Impartial agency: Corruption within the police is often investigated by the cops themselves who are naturally lenient towards their colleagues. An impartial agency to investigate police corruption may help

Stringent action: Strict action like summary dismissal of corrupt cops could go long way in curbing bribery

Ban torture: The use of 'third degree' must be banned and police officer engaging in it must be punished. Fear of torture leads many innocent people to bribe cops instead of fighting the case on merit

Surprise checks: Senior officials should carry out surprise checks of police stations and spots. They should also be accessible by common people and hear public's grievances

Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) most corporations including

NMC staff have earned ill-repute for not performing their duties unless citizens greased their palms. Even for essential services like water supply, citizens are having to pay through their nose. Siraspeth resident Kailas Ghumre told TOI that people living in his lane collected money during summer to pay to NMC valve operators. "Unless we pay them, they simply do not open the valves for our lane. We have complained to our corporator and officials concerned many times but in vain," he said.

A 52-year-old man approached NMC on Wednesday to lodge a complaint against irregularities in garbage collection before his shop in Giripeth. Requesting anonymity, he alleged, "The ghanta gadi operators have not been collecting garbage from our area for the past many days. The sanitary workers have been asking for Rs 200 per shop per month. Only then will they collect garbage and sweep streets regularly," he said. He refused to pay the bribe as a result of which there is pile of garbage gathered at his premises and strong stink is emanating from it.

Rupesh Shroti (name changed), a resident of Mahal, complained that a staffer from Gandhibagh zone demanded bribe from him to issue death certificate. He wondered how the corporation staff could demand bribe even from bereaved family members. "It goes to show how insensitive they have become," he said.

Citizens experience corruption at almost every department in NMC and are made to run from pillar to post if they refuse to oblige. People complain that the town planning department is one of the corrupt in NMC. From sanctioning a building plan to issuing occupancy certificates, no task is achieved without paying bribe. Everyone from Class IV employee to engineer demands bribes to move the files and sanction applications.

Octroi department is also infamous for bribery. If the staffers work honestly, they can help boost revenue of civic body. The earnings of the department would double, pointed Dilip Khandelwal, a trader. Private contractors, requesting anonymity, also complained about corruption in finance and accounts department. They pointed out that here the officials never clear their bills unless appeased. Contractors are always found making rounds of the accounts department to get their bills cleared.

The happiest lot in NMC is in enforcement department. Their poor performance can be gauged by increasing number of unauthorised constructions in all areas. Corruption rules in health, education and property tax departments too.

Senior citizen and social activist Umesh Choubey blamed corporators for this. Choubey said, "With the connivance of both bureaucrats and public representatives, NMC officials are having a field day. NMC has failed miserably on every front. Civic services have touched a nadir and problems of cleanliness and sanitation, health and education have worsened due to corruption."

He asked why corporators shielded corrupt officials. Corporators did not work for the development of the city and only planned schemes to grab public money, he charged. "The root of the problem is apathy, callousness and profligacy in spending public money. Corruption in NMC has become so commonplace that it hardly registers on the public consciousness," he pointed.

Another resident Vijay Bangar blamed the corporators for the mess. He pointed out that despite frequent exposes of wrongdoings by NMC officials, no action is taken. The employees carry on with their illegal 'businesses' as usual. He cited many examples wherein NMC officials were caught red-handed while demanding and accepting money but the NMC's general body never supported investigating agency including Anti-Corruption Bureau in probe against officials.

Absence of punishment is one reason behind the rise in corruption, said social activist Raju Wagh. "Public servants here have little regard for the laws," he said. NMC corporator Manoj Sangole admitted that corporators were responsible for corruption. He claimed that corporators were well aware of corruption but do nothing for their vested interests.

Nagpur Improvement Trust

Corruption is rampant in almost all services provided by the Nagpur Improvement Trust too. Residents wondered how corruption continues to rule even after many high-ranking officials were trapped while accepting bribe.

Cleansing NMC

Prosecute effectively: Due to lack of conviction, corruption has increased. Prosecution of those caught in corruption cases should be effective

E-governance: Online tender, online tax and online registration of works in corporation will curb graft

Performance appraisals: Linking pay of staff to quality of service rendered will also help

Independent review: An independent agency should be formed to review developmental works in every part of the city

No interference: Public representatives should not be allowed to interfere in matters related to corruption

Important LANDMARKS IN NAGPUR

Important LANDMARKS IN NAGPUR

LANDMARKS IN NAGPUR

Sadar	Civil lines, Sadar, Mangalwar bazar, Katol Road, Chaooni, Jaripatka, Byramji Town, Mount Road, Mt Rd Extn., Gaddigodam, Mohan Nagar, Seminary Hills.
Sitabuldi	Main Railway Station,,Sitabuli ,Maharajbagh, Jhanshi Rani sq.
Dhantoli	Yeshwant Stadium, Dhantoli, Congress Nagar.
Ramdaspeth	Ramdaspeth, Lendra park, Kachipura, Rahate colony.
Wardha Road	Ajni sq, LIC colony, Surendra nagar, Sawarkar Nagar, Ramkrishna Nagar, Vivekanand Nagar, Samartha Nagar, Hindustan Colony, Chatrapati Nagar, Narendra Nagar, Sneh Nagar, Somalwada, Airport, Khapri, Khamla ,NEERI Tatya Tope Nagar.
Pratap Nagar	Swavlambi Nagar, Deendayal Nagar, Trimurti nagar.
Dakshin Ambazari Road	Laxmi nagar, Bajaj nagar ,Abhankyar nagar, Shradhnandpeth.
Wadi	Amravati road.
Dharampeth	Shankar nagar, Ambazari, Corp. Colony, Gandhi nagar, Shivaji nagar ,VRCE, Dharampeth, Gokulpeth, Ramnagar, Bharat nagar, Amravati Road.
Kamptee Road	Moti bagh ,kadbi chowk, Panchpaoli, Indora ,bezan bagh, kamptee road.
Cotton market	Santra market, mayo hospital ,bhagwaghar, bajeria, cotton market ,ghat road ,subhash road, ganeshpeth, new cotton mkt.
Gandhibagh	Central avenue, gandhi bagh.
Itwari	New Itwari Road, kirana oil ,lal imli, maskasath ,itwara bhandara road, GJ Road.
Bagadganj	Wardhaman nagar, bagadganj small factory area, kalamna ,gangabai ghat road, nandanwan ,ganesh nagar.
Mahal	Ruikar road ,chitar oli, tilak road ,chitnispura ,new shukrawari ,rajabaksha, sakkardara, ganesh nagar, medical college, rambagh ,hanuman nagar, raghuji nagar, umred road, nandwan.
Kalmeshwar	It is situated near 24 Km. from main Nagpur
Butobori	It is an Industrial State near 50 Km. from main Nagpur. It is one of the biggest Industrial State in Asia.

CBSE launches eligibility test for teachers central teacher eligibility test (CTET)

Well, CBSC Has desided that now central teacher eligibility test (CTET) will be conducted on June 26 by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). This test will be the qualifying exam for people intending to teach Classes I-VIII of central government-run schools where CBSE syllabus is taught.

The National Council for Teachers' Education (NCTE) had mandated a single eligibility test be held for teachers across the country. Clearing this test will now be mandatory for applicants who wants to teach at central government-run schools like Kendriya and Navodaya Vidyalayas. This was made mandatory under the Right To Education act (RTE) and the CBSE was asked to conduct the exam.

Private schools following CBSE syllabus may or may not insist on it. Also, existing teachers need not take it. It is only for new entrants. CBSE said in its website, "it is desirable to ensure that quality requirement for recruitment of teachers is not diluted at any cost. It is therefore necessary to ensure that persons recruited as teachers possess the essential aptitude and ability to meet the challenges of teaching at the primary and upper primary level."

The application forms for the exam will be available from April 15 and it can be submitted online till May 10. The exam will be on June 26 and results will be declared by July 27. There will be two tests held, Paper-I and Paper-II, on the same day. Paper-I will be for people who intend to teach classes I-V, and Paper-II for people who intend to teach classes VI-VIII. People wanting to be able to teach Class I-VIII will have to appear for both. There will be no negative marking.

Only candidates securing 60% and above will be issued the CTET certificate. The CTET will be held annually and its certificate will be valid for seven years. There are seven examination centres in Maharashtra with two being in Vidarbha (Nagpur and Amravati). The CBSE has also made it clear that schools owned and managed by the state government/local bodies and aided schools should consider the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) conducted by the respective. However, a state government may make use of CTET scores for its schools if it wanted.

Students Says IIT-JEE 2011 easy paper happy for that

Pranjali Dudhe of Ambedkar College said, "It was very easy compared to what I was expecting. I could complete both the papers on time as I had practised a lot by solving many question papers at my coaching class". Pranjali is a student of the Maharashtra State board and still she found the test easy. She is not alone, Vakas Danish, from Akola, who found the exams easy, is also a student of the State board. Danish said, "I never went to any coaching classes but used to solve sample question papers. I found Paper II a bit hard, but overall I would say that the test was very easy".

The timing for Paper-I was from 9am - 12pm while Paper-II was scheduled from 2pm - 5pm. Majority of students said that the time limit was adequate to complete all the questions.

Sandeep Singh, a CBSE student from Kamptee, who had prepared for the exam after attending coaching classes, found both papers 'equally easy'. He added that there were no surprises in the test. "There is a general feeling about how tough it is to crack IIT-JEE but I found today's paper really easy and am very confident that I would get through".

According to coaching centres the reason for this is the lesser number of questions that carry negative markings. Nisha Kothari, owner of a private coaching class, said, "In Paper-I only half of the questions had negative marking, while in Paper-II only 24 (out of 60) questions carried negative marking. Exams are becoming easier for IIT and I believe the quality of IIT exams are going down like anything".

A team from IIT-Powai had arrived in Nagpur to officiate the exams. They however refused to share details on Sunday's exam saying they were not authorized to speak with the media.

This year the exams were conducted by IIT-K and the results of Sunday's exam will be declared on May 25.

Increase DTH connections in Amravati

The number of customers choosing DTH ( Direct To Home) over cable connections has increased by a huge margin this year. Since last few years more and more people have chosen DTH over cable connection, as can be seen from the mushrooming dish antennae atop homes.

With DTH companies announcing new facilities almost every other day, people tend to choose DTH connections these days. The entertainment tax department data says that number of DTH customers in Amravati division have increased from 90,084 last year to around 1.29 lakh this year. This means there has been an increase of over 39,000 subscribers this year. On the other hand, while last year there were 1.20 lakh subscribers of cable TV, this year there has been an increase of only 10,000 subscribers.

The government has recovered Rs 11.34 crore entertainment tax, of which around Rs 4.21 crore was collected from the DTH subscribers while Rs 3.42 crore was collected from cable TV connections

New SSC books priced Raised increased price of SSC books, Price of SSC Book Maharashtra

New SSC books priced Raised increased price of SSC books, Price of SSC Book Maharashtra -

Maths-I, a 186-page book, is now almost double the price of one it replaces at Rs 63. Maths-II, a 212-page book, has also witnessed a 184 per cent jump in price at Rs.71. These books have been prescribed by the State Board as part of upgrading the syllabus. The syllabus is being brought at par with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).

Also, instead of two science books, there is now just one. This 178-page book costs Rs 75, almost 18 per cent higher than the combined price of the books it replaces. Book shop owners say that students usually buy these books from mid-May. Still a few customers had started coming in early this year.

"This time, may be due to syllabus having changed, kids are wanting to start early" said Gautam Chopra, a bookstore owner. Since this is the first year of the new syllabus there are no second-hand books available. Students have no option but to buy the books at high prices.

Stall owners say the input costs for printing a book have increased quite a lot. In addition, these new books have a lot of illustrations and are overall a better quality product.

Nagpur Chamber of Commerce Limited (NCCL), J P Sharma, strongly objected to the power tariff hike at a hearing before Maharashtra Electricity Regulato

The hearing date was fixed for
determination of Aggregate
Revenue Requirement and tariff
for 2010-11 by Maharashtra State
Electricity Distribution Company
Limited (Mahadiscom) in Petition
No. 111 of 2009.
Similarly, Maharashtra State
Electricity Transmission Company
Limited (Mahatranco) and
Maharashtra State Power
Generation Co. Ltd. (Mahagenco)
had filed Petition No.103 of 2009
and 102 of 2009, respectively
before MERC. The Commission
has admitted the petitions on April
7, 2010 and had directed MSEDCL
to publish a public notice under
Section 64(2) of the Electricity
Act, 2003, for inviting suggestions
and objections from the public,
wherein NCCL had already
submitted its objections.
NCCL supported the objections
raised by Vidarbha Industries
Association (VIA). Sharma vehemently
submitted that already electricity
tariff of the State has been
raised 7 times within last 6 months,
which cumulatively had a rise of
35 per cent and in turn had generated
additional revenue of Rs
4700 cr. Such increase has already
added Rs 1.40 to Rs 1.75 per unit
and with the current petition the
State Electricity Companies has
again demanded an augment of
34%, which is absolutely unprecedented
and unwanted.
Sharma said that instead of
raising electric tariff to cover
up a shortfall of Rs 4166 cr,
all the three companies should
curtail their expenditures and
control transmission losses and
should stop burdening the losses
on the consumers. He said that
under such circumstances, there
should be no tariff increase for
coming three years.

Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) Increase Rates of Electricity

PRESIDENT of Nagpur Chamber of Commerce Limited (NCCL), J P Sharma, strongly objected to the power tariff hike at a hearing before Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) hearing at Vanamati Hall, VIP Road, Dharampeth. The hearing date was fixed for determination of Aggregate Revenue Requirement and tariff for 2010-11 by Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (Mahadiscom) in Petition No. 111 of 2009. Similarly, Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Company Limited (Mahatranco) and Maharashtra State Power Generation Co. Ltd. (Mahagenco) had filed Petition No.103 of 2009 and 102 of 2009, respectively before MERC. The Commission has admitted the petitions on April 7, 2010 and had directed MSEDCL to publish a public notice under Section 64(2) of the Electricity Act, 2003, for inviting suggestions and objections from the public, wherein NCCL had already submitted its objections. NCCL supported the objections raised by Vidarbha Industries Association (VIA). Sharma vehemently submitted that already electricity tariff of the State has been raised 7 times within last 6 months, which cumulatively had a rise of 35 per cent and in turn had generated additional revenue of Rs 4700 cr. Such increase has already added Rs 1.40 to Rs 1.75 per unit and with the current petition the State Electricity Companies has again demanded an augment of 34%, which is absolutely unprecedented and unwanted. Sharma said that instead of raising electric tariff to cover up a shortfall of Rs 4166 cr, all the three companies should curtail their expenditures and control transmission losses and should stop burdening the losses on the consumers. He said that under such circumstances, there should be no tariff increase for coming three years.

VNIT Nagpur final yr students held for ragging

In what's ostensibly the biggest blot on the Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT), the only NIT in Maharashtra, 6 students of the city-based college were arrested by the Ambazari police on Thursday for alleged ragging. They were also charged with physical assault and threatening the victims, under Sections 323, 504, and 109 read with 34 of IPC.

Those arrested include Abhishek Mishra (21) from Kolkata, Pranav Dikshit from Agra, Gauravdip Chakraborty (20) from Ashish Nagar, Tanay Mahajan (22) from Pune, Pravin Jha (20) from Rajasthan and Ankit Chabra (20) from Punjab. The first three are from final year mechanical branch, Tanay from final year architecture and Pravin and Ankit from final year civil engineering.

Interestingly, the incident took place on January 5 but the complaint was lodged only on Thursday. All were released on bail on the same day.

The chief warden of VNIT hostels, Aniruddh Ghare, told TOI that all the students were rusticated from the hostels after the complaint was lodged and also debarred from appearing in any of the training and placement activities. Their parents were also informed about the incident.

Finally, IGGMC (Indira Gandhi Government Medical College) MBBS seats reduced to 60

The Indira Gandhi Government Medical College (IGGMC) was finally conveyed the Medical Council of India's (MCI) decision to cut down the college's MBBS seats from 100 to 60. Though the board of governors had posted the decision on the MCI website on July 4, the news was officially communicated to the college dean in writing only a couple of days back.

However, the directorate of medical education and research (DMER) is still hopeful of getting back the seats through central government's intervention.

DMER director Dr WB Tayade admitted to TOI that the MCI communicated the decision to IGGMC dean like every year. He said that the state government was making all possible efforts to restore the seats. "State government is in touch with the Union government and are hopeful that Centre will consider the issue sympathetically," Dr Tayade said. There is cause to worry as admissions for the first year will be held till September 30, he added.

The MCI letter states that the permission to admit 100 students has been denied to the college as the authorities concerned had failed to remove the deficiencies existing for the past 11 years. No efforts were made to begin the construction at the college to improve the infrastructure as per MCI norms.

Admitting that he had received the MCI letter, dean Dr A B Dongre said he was still hopeful of positive developments. He said that the Central government could rethink on the issue in the interest of deserving students.

Interestingly, the college and the DMER have been submitting compliance reports year after year on starting the construction work for library, casualty, other departments and girls' hostel to council. Despite receiving the funds for infrastructural development, things never got going due to bureaucratic procedural delays and apathetic attitude of DMER and state government towards IGGMC.

Students as well as teachers at IGGMC are also tired of these false promises and are now prepared to accept MCI's decision even if it is against the college. "It's high time that the state government stops fooling us. There is no need to seek union government's intervention. We should accept the fact that the college does not deserve the renewal," a senior student said.

Hislop College probe finds no ragging evidence

 A day after ragging allegations rocked the 125-year-old Hislop College, the management acted quickly to set up a fact finding headed by lecturer AN Joseph. The alleged ragging case, reported by T.O.I. on Friday, related to harassment of B.Sc. first year students by senior biotechnology students.

Charlie commandos of city police rushed to the college about 1 pm on Thursday after receiving a call from some student that ragging was under way in the Gardiner block and searched all rooms. However, they failed to find anything as by then everybody had dispersed.

According to junior students, the seniors led by BSc second and third year students had sought permission from college teachers to conduct an "introduction" session with the juniors on Thursday. Even a senior lecturer from biotechnology department had addressed the juniors students telling them not to worry before leaving the room. He had reportedly told them that they were rude to their seniors and therefore the session is must to become familiar with each other.

The teachers had granted permission to seniors to miss two periods for the session. Later, the seniors reportedly started harassing the juniors leading to the entire drama. The students disclosed that they were being ragged since start of the new academic session and seniors were quite harsh with them. The students had reportedly lodged complaints with the college authorities too.

The students told TOI that they had even given a letter saying "sorry" to the seniors for behaving rudely but still they were being threatened. The fact finding committee of college that included RJ Andrew, MA Anjankar, P Banerjee and P Shelke, however, unanimously concluded "there is no shred of evidence that establishes the truth about alleged ragging incident".

The report of the panel, in possession of TOI, mentions that the entire incident was nothing but malicious intent of a few disgruntled elements to tarnish college's reputation. "The committee after due consideration of details of the case, concludes that the charge of ragging made by certain unreliable sources is nothing more than an unfounded error," it says.

The committee questioned the students of all three years of BSc biotechnology. The first year students categorically denied they were subjected to any kind of abuse by seniors. The panel members also spoke to senior students on their behaviour with the juniors and found nothing in their attitude or action that could be construed as aggressive.

The members also interacted with the head of department, faculty members and administrative staff of the biotechnology department regarding the ragging incident and found that "there is absolutely no truth in the allegations of ragging".

Sudipto Singh, secretary of Church of North India (CNI), which manages Hislop College, told TOI that he spoke to all junior and senior students and none of them reported any such incident taking place. "The alleged case may be a prank call. If such a thing happens in the college, I will be the first person to take action," he asserted. He said still he would strengthen the anti-ragging panel and focus would be on orientation of students. "We had provided students with phone numbers to contact if they are harassed," Singh said.

Meanwhile, a delegation of Shiv Sena submitted a memorandum to the college authorities to probe the incident that was widely reported in the media. There was an eerie silence in the sprawling college premises on Friday. Entry was restricted to the identity card holders. Even the pan and tea kiosks operating in front of the college were removed by the police as many anti-social elements made them their den.