News

IndianExpress:  In a major fire on Saturday morning, property worth almost Rs 50 lakh was damaged at Faber Heatkraft company office — it manufactures kitchen amenities like chimneys and cooking ranges — on the Kondhwa-Pisoli Road.

According to Pune fire brigade officials, the company’s managing director Prahlad Bhutada called for fire tenders at 3.45 am and the fire was controlled within 30 minutes using two fire engines and two water tankers.
 
Officials said about 30 computers, 10 printers, six photocopiers, a refrigerator, two fax machines, a scooter, five mobile phones, 40 telephones, a digital camera and Rs 1 lakh in cash was gutted in the fire. No injuries have been reported in the fire.
 

IndianExpress: The Yerawada Central Prison is among the most happening places. Some years ago, to help them on the road to reformation, prisoners were initiated into Gandhism and every year around Gandhi Jayanti, several write an examination on Gandhian philosophy. To keep the winds of change blowing, the prison authorities have decided to introduce them to English, etiquette and improve their self-confidence starting from Wednesday.

Prisoners already attend a sanskar varg — moral teaching. Now, the interactive audio programme conducted by Pune’s Centre for Learning Resources (CLR) will teach them grammar and vocabulary.

IndianExpress:  A team of CBI officials on Saturday morning questioned Pune Cantonment Board (PCB ) CEO SK Sardana for two hours over a previous corruption case filed against PCB’s electricity superintendent MS Shivane.

The CBI had filed a case of corruption against Shivane. They had searched his bank lockers with the State Bank of India and Janata Seva Sahakari Bank in 2004 and recovered Rs 13 lakh in the form of cash and share certificates which were disproportionate to his known sources of income. Shivane was allegedly involved in the electricity generator scam that had rocked the board in 2003-2004.

IndianExpress: The cost of treatment in all hospitals and dispensaries run by the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has become a little costlier. From November 1, seven PCMC-run hospitals and 16 dispensaries hiked their rates by 10 per cent. This follows a civic general body decision taken two months ago. The Dilip Band-led PCMC administration had actually proposed a 50 per cent hike. However, it had to settle for a 10 per cent hike after corporators, cutting across party lines opposed the “steep hike.”

If residents in Pimpri-Chinchwad are facing a hike in treatment rates, those living outside PCMC limits are in for more expenses. Following a directive from Commissioner Band, all PCMC-run hospitals and dispensaries have stopped granting any concession to patients coming from outside the civic jurisdiction.

IndianExpress: The Aditya Birla Memorial Hospital that began functioning in Thergaon in Chinchwad on Wednesday has the among the largest OPD facilities in the State with 60 consulting rooms, 30 procedure rooms and 150 doctors serving OPD patients. The 500-bed hospital has the scope to double its capacity.

According to Birla Hospital CEO Dr B K Trivedi, the attempt is to shape it after Johns Hopkins, the Harvard and Mayo Clinics and offer all this at an affordable cost. “On November 14, the birth anniversary of Aditya Birla, the hospital will launch the first phase comprising 150 beds,” Trivedi said. At full capacity there will be 300 doctors and 1,000 support staff.

IndianExpress: The death of a first year management student of the Indian Institute of Modern Management (IIMM), Wakad, on Friday night at the Lokmanya Hospital, Wakad, created confusion among hostelites in the campus.

According to college authorities, Shruti Rampal, a Post Graduate Diploma in Management student, died of pancreatic failure on Friday night but rumours that the girl died owing medical negligence prompted the hostel students, especially girls, to panic, leading to a minor demonstration and sloganeering.

IndianExpress: To better identify transport vehicles in the state, the government has sought suggestions and objections regarding the colours for various vehicles. All suggestions should be submitted within a month to the Pune Regional Transport Office.

As per the issued notification, hoods of motor cabs permitted to operate in rural areas and non-meter cabs other than tourist or luxury cabs will be painted maroon-red. The body of every motor taxi, affiliated to any group of taxi service, will be painted as approved by State Transport Authority.