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TOI : PUNE: The University of Pune has only itself to blame for the predicament it faces over saving the Rs 300-plus crore of its financial reserves from going to the proposed Chancellor’s Fund.

A high-powered committee, under minister for higher and technical education Dilip Walse-Patil, is examining the feasibility of the proposed fund, which envisages pooling of surplus reserves by all the state universities and redistribution of the same by the chancellor, to support the financially weaker universities.

If the fund materialises, the UoP - along with the University of Mumbai - would be among the “biggest losers”, considering that no state university would be allowed to maintain an excess of Rs 10 crore, post the pooling of reserves.

The idea of such “paltry” provision has evoked sharp reactions in the academic circles here, but the fact remains that the UoP has done little beyond accumulating huge funds over the last one decade. Even as much-needed development projects, both on academics and campus infrastructure fronts, failed to move beyond papers.

A combination of factors ranging from “lack of foresight, planning and dynamism” besides the notorious red-tapism, which afflicts the decision-making process, are seen reasons for this lackadaisical approach.

For instance, the 411-acre UoP campus as well as the main administrative building has been in a bad shape for the past several years and continues to suffer from lack of basic amenities like drinking water and rest rooms, among others.

The campus also suffered from inadequate hostel facilities, deteriorating staff quarters’ condition and lack of space for new and proposed post-graduate departments. On the academic front, the UoP did better in bringing in grants from external funding agencies, but had little to show for the outcome of the on-campus research activity…More

TOI : PUNE: In a heartrending incident, a day-old baby girl was bitten to death by stray dogs after she was abandoned in the middle of the road at Kondhwa early on Thursday morning.

Suresh More of Wanowrie first spotted the infant on the NIBM road while he was on his way home around 3 am. Soon a resident of the NIBM road area, Avinash Tejija, arrived at the scene. Both of them drove away the dogs and More alerted the police.

Police sub-inspector S A Khedkar hailed More and Tejija for trying to rescue the baby and alerting the police. He said the infant was immediately taken to the Sassoon hospital, but she succumbed to her injuries within 30 minutes.

Khedekar also appreciated More and Tejija as they accompanied the police to the hospital. “They remained with us throughout the process. Tejija was in fact pleading with the hospital authorities to save the infant so that he could adopt her,” he said…More

TOI : PUNE: After the death of a senior citizen on zebra crossing at Bajirao Road on Wednesday morning, the Pedestrian First has sent a letter to the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML) suggesting measures to train their drivers.

In a press communiqué on Friday, the NGO said the bus had jumped three signals indicating that the driver was a habitual offender without any concern for life of citizens.

While accepting that driving is a challenge for PMPML drivers owing to bad roads and chaotic traffic conditions, the NGO said it should not be an excuse for indiscipline. The NGO also pointed out that a large number of PMPML buses do not have horns, and have small rear-view mirrors.

The Pedestrian First has suggested lectures and training sessions to sensitize drivers regarding traffic rules, safe driving, commuter safety and respect to other road-users. They said the training should be organized on a regular basis with audio-visual presentations at every six months.

The conductors should be asked to caution drivers if they drive rashly, the letter said. Controllers at bus-stands should accept citizen complaints about rash driving by PMPML drivers. Messages like ‘I shall always drive safely and follow traffic rules’ should be put on windscreens, while the rear end of the buses should have a contact number for reporting any rash driving.

A vigilance squad on two-wheelers should patrol the roads and board buses mid-way to detect drivers indulging in rash driving. The PMPML should also take strict disciplinary action including penal fines, suspension and dismissal against drivers guilty of traffic indiscipline…More

TOI : PUNE: Five prisoners, completing their jail terms at the Yerawada central prison this month, will walk into a new life courtesy the Adarsha Mitra Mandal, Dhankawdi.

In a unique function on Thursday evening, the Ganesh mandal handed over joining letters to the families of the prisoners at the hands of police inspector Bhanupratap Barge (anti-extortion cell).

Whether it is a job of an RTO agent or at a parking lot, the five convicts will not mind taking up. For them, it is the road towards a dignified life. More over, it will prevent them from going back into criminal activities.

Uday Jagtap of the Adarsha Mitra Mandal said they have received a positive response from four companies - Logic Financial, Sadashiv Peth; a parking contractor at APMC, Market Yard; Mauli Auto, Parvati and Mohite Enterprises, Wagholi. “The five convicts will undergo a counselling session by the police before joining for jobs.’

Earlier, the Adarsha Mitra Mandal had vowed to rehabilitate around 100 convicts this year. The mandal has been talking to various companies to find a slot for the prisoners finishing their punishment on the basis of their qualification. The mandal has also tied up with the prison authorities to get a list of the convicts being released this year.

The mandal has also made a film ‘Parivartan’, which portrays the situation which propels the criminal instinct in a person, life of his family after he gets punishment and post-punishment problems. “We have shown the film to around 2,100 convicts from Yerawada prison and counselled them for a crime-free life after getting free,” Jagtap said.

Retired judge Subhash Hartalkar, child psychologist Prafulla Ranade, advocate Pratap Pardeshi were among those present on the occasion on Thursday…More

TOI : PUNE: Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) standing committee on Friday approved various projects worth Rs 64.94 crore, including a resolution to improve, strengthen and asphalt roads in zones B, C and D in the Pimpri-Chinchwad township.

Ajit Gavhane, chairman of the standing committee, said this resolution was approved in the meeting held on Friday.

Gavhane further said that the committee had overall approved projects with a total expenditure of Rs 64.94 crore. The resolution for constructing an underpass below the railway over-bridge on Spine road in Pradhikaran, at an expenditure of Rs 8.89 crore, was also approved. Water supply and drainage projects worth Rs 4.13 crore, projects regarding the electricity department worth Rs 2.04 crore were also sanctioned.

Discussions were held regarding PCMC grants, of Rs 30 lakh, to social organisations. The committee members enquired whether the social organisations recommended by them will also be given the funds. Commissioner Dilip Band said various organisations had already applied for the funds and the period for submission of the application was over. The resolution to approve grants for social organisations was kept pending and a decision will be taken at the meeting on Tuesday.

Resolutions to lay underground drainage lines to the south of the nullah in Kiwale, at an expenditure of Rs 1.06 crore, and to the east side of Ravet Kiwale road, at an expenditure of Rs 2.68 crore, were approved.

Decisions to lay closed drainage lines in the Postal colony, the Shree Dutta colony and nearby areas in Wakad gaothan, at an expenditure of Rs 41.73 lakh, and constructing boundary walls around the Balamal chawl and the Dairy Farm in Pimpri, at an expenditure of Rs 30.21 lakh, were taken…More