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TOI : PUNE: In order to curb cases of octroi evasion and augment revenue during the time of recession, the Pune Municipal Corporation has directed its various departments to seek an NOC (no objection certificate) from the octroi department before paying the bills of contractors who have completed projects for them.

The decision has been taken by municipal commissioner Mahesh Zagade to ensure that octroi had been paid by contractors on the materials brought into the city.

Deputy commissioner and head of the octroi department, Rajan Muthe, said the measures are being taken to make up for the fall in octroi income due to the ongoing recession.

“Octroi is a major source of income for the PMC. However, it is on the decline due to the bad market condition. Evasion of octroi has to be stopped completely. The contractors who undertake infrastructure projects for the PMC are some of the main sources of octroi income. Most of the construction material like iron, cement and pipes, and electric material are brought into the city from outside. Therefore, all departments have been instructed to ensure that proper octroi has been paid on all the material used and only then clear the bills for payment and return the deposit amount. The octroi department will issue an NOC only after ensuring that all octroi-related papers are in place,” Muthe said.

Officials in charge of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewable Mission projects have also been informed about the development. Topics: Pune PMC More Stories from this section 125 drug-resistant tuberculosis cases in Nagpur, Akola ‘Ration card can be used for voting’ Setback for anti-spitting drive as tenure of PMC squads ends With poll…More

TOI : PUNE: Think of a pristine white kurta, a pyjama or a dhoti, and not to forget the historical Nehru cap. In all probability, the first person that comes to your mind will be a politician. And khadi is the fabric that gives this attire its political colours and texture.

Like any other election, khadi shop owners are a busy lot these days as every political aspirant, true to his salt, does not miss at least one visit to one of these shops.

“The demand for khadi goes up invariably during the month before the elections. This year we have seen a 40 per cent increase in the number of buyers and it is primarily because of the assembly polls,” says Devdas Swami of the Gandhi Khadi Bhandar, located on Laxmi road.

The white cotton variety is the most popular of all the others available including silk, polyester and woollen. “A metre of the white cotton variety costs anywhere from Rs 50 to Rs 300,” he adds.

But not all the buyers are first-time buyers. “There are people like Anna Joshi, Mohan Dharia and Balasaheb Thorat who are regular khadi users and hence frequent visitors to my store,” he says. Swami’s is one of the oldest khadi stores in the city and was founded by his father as early as 1942. “Since then I have noticed that the election period is boom time for us. This year it is a bonus with Diwali following soon,” he smiles.

Another khadi trader, Sunil Bihani of the Rashtriya Khadi Bhandar says that this year’s election period has resulted in a 30 per cent increase in sales. “The white variety of khadi, also called the minister variety is the most popular since it is of superior quality. But khadi needs to be maintained properly irrespective of the variety,” he informs. Bihani also says that though there are people opting…More

TOI : PUNE: The Jamnalal Bajaj awards, given by the Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation every year, were declared recently.

Like every year, this year too the awards will be given in four categories constructive work, science and technology for rural development, development and welfare of women and children and international award for promoting Gandhian values outside India. The awardees are Shri Lavanam, Ayyappa Masagi, Jaya Arunachalam and Father Peter Dougherty respectively. The awards will be presented in a function to be held in Mumbai on November 6.

While Lavanam, a social worker, has worked for welfare of tribals, criminal rehabilitation, women empowerment, child rights and other activities involving social awareness, Masagi has been given the award for his innovations that helped the cause of water conservation. Arunachalam has been given the award for her work in women empowernment for the last three decades. Dougherty, meanwhile, has been awarded for his work in promoting Gandhian values outside India.

Speaking of the awards, Madhur Bajaj, trustee of the foundation said, “These awards are to recognise and suitably reward the efforts of the men and women who have dedicated their life to Gandhian Constructive Work and the ideals which Jamnalal Bajaj had cherished all his life. The foundation strives to serve the ideals to which Jamnalal Bajaj had dedicated his life and promotes the kind of Gandhian constructive activities in which he himself was deeply involved during his life-time.” Topics: awards Pune More Stories from this section 125 drug-resistant tuberculosis cases in Nagpur, Akola ‘Ration card can be used for voting’ Setback for anti-spitting drive as tenure of PMC squads ends PMC contractors will have to seek NOC from octroi dept With poll…More

TOI : SATARA/SANGLI: As 28-year-old Irshad Abbas Shaikh succumbed to the H1N1 influenza at the Wanless hospital in Miraj on Tuesday afternoon, the district administration in neighbouring Satara roped in five more hospitals to treat fresh cases of H1N1.

Shekhar Rajderkar, chief of the H1N1 flu committee in Sangli, told the TOI that Shaikh, a resident of Miraj, was admitted to Wanless hospital three days back. He had been suffering from cold, cough and fever for the last six days. “He was taking treatment at a private hospital, but when his condition worsened he was shifted to Wanless hospital where he was found to be suffering from H1N1,” Rajderkar said.

He said that as many as 13 people, who came in contact with Shaikh are being monitored and have been given preventive treatment. Shaikh used to live in Mangle taluka of Shirala and used to frequent Pune for work.

“A nurse who was treating Shaikh has also started showing symptoms similar to that of H1N1 and has been admitted to the Sangli civil hospital. Her swab samples have been sent for testing to NIV, Pune,” Rajderkar stated.

He added that a 21-year-old student from Tasgaon, who is studying in Pune, was also admitted to the hospital as a suspected case of H1N1 and his throat swab samples have been sent for testing.

Rajderkar has urged people to contact government hospitals in Sangli, Wanless hospital in Miraj and Bharati Hospital if they have been showing swine-flu-like symptoms.

Meanwhile in Satara, as many as 66 confirmed and 242 suspected H1N1 cases were found so far after the outbreak of H1N1.

District civil surgeon Suresh Jagdale told TOI that five more hospitals: Satara district hospital, Karad deputy district hospital, Phaltan deputy district hospital, Pol private hospital in Phaltan and Sanjeevan hospital have been roped in to treat H1N1 patients.

In Panchgani, a 13-year-old student of Anjuma…More

TOI : PUNE: A state-level forum of around 40 women’s organisations, the Stree Mukti Andolan Samiti, has prepared an election manifesto which they plan to disseminate among the candidates. Prepared in consultation with the women’s groups and organisations, the manifesto covers a number of issues from a demand for affordable daily commodities to steps that should be taken to prevent atrocities against women.

In the manifesto, the forum asks for steps to be taken to prevent the hoarding of daily commodities which will stop rising prices. “We also want financial packages to be provided to the families affected by farmer suicides. This includes reimbursement of losses incurred, loans on low interest rates and a BPL card to the widow, among others,” the manifesto reads. It further asks for the proper distribution of the public distribution system of foodgrains and other commodities.

The forum also calls for effective implementation of the Employment Guarantee Scheme. “We also want cr?ches to be put up for women labourers working under the scheme and also widows and single women to be treated equally and be given independent job cards,” it adds. The forum also says that the Domestic Violence Act needs to be effective and properly implemented. Similarly, laws against dowry and child marriages, among various others, should be strictly enforced.

The manifesto also includes a demand for 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and also across various important committees, including the Human Rights Commission, Planning Board, SC/ST Commission and various other boards that are involved in important decision-making. “The anti-atrocity law should be enforced to enable the implementation of reservation for Dalit and tribal women,” the forum says.

The forum also says that all self-help groups should be given loans at a low interest rate of 4 per cent. “There should also be 50 per cent reservation for women in local self-government institutions. That apart, a review…More

TOI : AURANGABAD: The Nanded police on Tuesday arrested at least half a dozen youths, allegedly belonging to the Chhava Sanghatana in Latur (an organisation of Maratha youths), for disrupting the public meeting of Congress chief Sonia Gandhi.

The activist identified as Bhagwant Makne, Sudhakar Mane, Bajirao Ekpurge, Padmakar Ban and two others, all residents of Latur kept quiet when chief minister Ashok Chavan and other Congress leaders addressed the gathering.

As soon as Sonia Gandhi referred to the Rs 71000 crore loan waiver to farmers, the Chhava Sanghatana activists jumped the bamboo-barricades and raised slogans condemning the Congress party while praising their own organisation.

Initially, people took them for enthusiastic Congress workers cheering the Congress chief, but soon their slogans condemning the Congress were heard aloud while Gandhi continued with her address. “The police immediately swung into action and forced the activists out of the venue,” said Shahji Umap, additional superintendent of police. An offence has been registered against all of them for causing disruption at the meeting.

Meanwhile, the meeting witnessed a strange development when MLC Kamalkishor Kadam, a close confidante of agriculture minister Sharad Pawar, paid rich tributes to the Congress chief Sonia Gandhi. While speaking in chaste Hindi, Kadam dubbed her as the first person after Mahatma Gandhi to renounce an opportunity to be at the helm of power.

Kadam, an NCP MLC, had thrown his hat into the election arena by filing his nomination papers as an independent candidate from Nanded South, only to withdraw later. He urged Congress chief to take a lead to strengthen Maharashtra, the country and the Congress party for the sake of people’s welfare.

Meanwhile, Amar Rajurkar, the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee general secretary, played down the incident involving Chhava Sanghatana youths. “All the youths are from Latur and they might have been prompted to indulge in such an activity by an independent candidate in…More

TOI : PUNE: Heavy rains in the catchment areas in the last couple of days has led to improvement in water situation in the dams supplying water to the city. “A total of 23.22 TMC of water is now available in the dams as compared to the total capacity of 27.01 TMC,” irrigation department officials said on Tuesday. It means that of the total capacity, 83.10 per cent water is now in store.

As per the data provided by the irrigation department, though the situation is not as good as last year, still the dams were holding a decent amount of water.

Last year around this time, all the dams Khadakwasla, Temghar, Panshet, Varasgaon and Pavana were filled to capacity. This year so far, Pavana is 96.07 per cent full, Panshet 83.78 per cent, Temghar 81.97 per cent and Varasgaon 86.84 per cent. The Khadakwasla dam is holding 58.88 per cent water.

The catchment area of the Khadakwasla dam recorded 147 mm rainfall between 8 am Monday and 8 am Tuesday. During the same 24-hour period, the Panshet and Varasgaon catchment areas witnessed 91 mm and 92 mm rainfall respectively.

While the Temghar catchment recorded 107 mm rainfall, the rainfall recorded in the Pavana dam catchment area was highest at 346 mm.

The catchment areas continued to receive showers on Tuesday. Between 8 am and 5 pm on Tuesday, the Khadakwasla dam catchment area witnessed 6 mm rainfall. Panshet and Varasgaon recorded 21 and 22 mm rainfall respectively, while the Temghar catchment area received 15 mm rainfall. The Pavana dam catchment area continued to receive heavy showers with 28 mm rainfall. Topics: Pune Water More Stories from this section 125 drug-resistant tuberculosis cases in Nagpur, Akola ‘Ration card can be used for voting’ Setback for anti-spitting drive as tenure of PMC squads ends PMC contractors will have to seek NOC from octroi dept With poll…More

TOI : NANDED: Congress party president Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday promised 50 per cent reservation for women, though she did not elaborate in which sectors the proposed reservation policy will be effected.

“The state government has already implemented 33 per cent reservation policy for women. Now, we are planning to introduce 50 per cent reservation for women,” she said while addressing a mammoth gathering here to campaign for the nine Congress-NCP candidates in the district for the October 13 elections.

“The Congress is committed to the uplift of farmers, women, Dalits, Adivasis and other minorities,” Gandhi assured while pointing out at various women-related schemes started by the Congress-led Union government, including loans for women at a low rate of interest. “We have always given importance to the welfare of the common man both in urban and the rural areas,” she said.

The Congress chief, while reiterating the Rs 71,000 crore loan waiver to farmers, asserted, “We do not make empty promises, like our opponents.”

Without naming the Sena-BJP combine in Maharashtra, she said, “They do not believe in development and just avoid any talk on the issue. They make false promises and play with the sentiments of people for political gains. They want to create a rift among different communities for their political benefits.” But, she stressed, unity and integrity is the only mantra through which we could achieve peace and development.

“We are struggling to ensure that Maharashtra’s people live in peace and prosperity,” Gandhi said while listing the steps taken by the Union and the state governments. Many schemes are being implemented for the uplift of rural folks while efforts are being taken for improving the conditions in the urban areas. While referring to the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission scheme being implemented in various cities, including Nanded, she said, “We want urban areas to be free of slums. I hope the Nanded…More

TOI : SANGLI/AHMEDNAGAR/SATARA: Heavy rains continued to cause havoc in Sangli, Satara and Ahmednagar districts and as many as three people lost their lives due to the resultant floods in Sangli since Monday. On Tuesday, the intensity of the rains lessened to some extent. Heavy damages to crops and houses were reported and panchnamas were being conducted to assess the damage.

In Sangli, Rama Basappa Nulke (32) was swept away in the rising waters near the Tonewadi bund on Monday, while Saraswati Mathpati (9) was swept away in a nullah in Muchandi village. Sharnappa Kabure drowned in an overflowing percolation tank.

Sangli collector Shyam Vardhane said nearly 5,000 houses had been damaged, while 15 villages were totally cut off. At least eight villages have been inundated with flood waters from the Bor river and relief and rescue work was on.

Vardhane and superintendent of police Krishnaprakash were touring the flood-affected areas and panchnamas were being conducted. “A fleet of mechanised boats and a number of life jackets are being kept ready for rescue and relief operations,” Vardhane said.

The drought-prone areas of the district have been witnessing heavy rains in the last four days. “In Atpadi taluka, 594 mm rainfall was recorded as against the annual average of 342 mm. Jat taluka recorded 620 mm rainfall as against annual average of 349 mm, while Kavthemahankal registered 416 mm rainfall as against 301 mm annual average figures,” he said. In Atpadi taluka, all the seven lakes that supply water to the taluka were overflowing, besides the bunds, KT weirs, wells and farm ponds.

In Ahmednagar district, extensive damage to sugarcane, soybean and cotton crops has been reported. State education minister Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil told TOI that sugarcane crop on about 250 acres of land had been damaged and the per acre yield was expected to go down by 25 tonnes. Damages to crops like tur dal, soybean, cotton…More

TOI : PUNE: Heavy downpour in several parts in the last week has damaged crops in different proportions in 54 talukas in the state.

Major crops damaged include rice, cotton, soybean, maze, sugarcane, onion and jowar. Solapur, Sindhudurg and Ratnagiri districts are the worst hit. While heavy rains also caused damage to standing crop in parts of Sangli, Kolhapur, Pune, Ahmednagar and Satara districts.

According to the state agriculture department, the state has registered a rainfall of 87 mm from October 1 to 6, as against 13 mm, which is an average expected rainfall for the same periodapproximately 680 per cent more. Some parts of Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg have registered over 400 mm rainfall on a single day during this period.

According to a primary estimate, around 28,000 hectares of standing crops were damaged in Solapur district alone. Bajra, maze, soybean are the most affected crops here. In Sindhudurg and Ratnagiri districts, rice crop in over 19,000 hectares of land was damaged. The mango, coconut and betel nut crops were damaged in some parts of both districts. Overall, damages were registered in more than 165 villages in Konkan region.

The crops in Phaltan and Maan tehsils of Satara districts were also affected. The sugarcane crop in Shrirampur and Karjat tehsils in Ahmednagar district also faced the brunt. While the crops in parts of Sangli and Kolhapur districts was also badly affected.

A senior official from the state agriculture department said, “The survey has been taken up in all districts in the state to find out details of damages. It will take couple of days to get the full details. Orders have been issued to conduct panchnamas at each tehsil.” Topics: Pune crops More Stories from this section 125 drug-resistant tuberculosis cases in Nagpur, Akola ‘Ration card can be used for voting’ Setback for anti-spitting drive as tenure of PMC squads ends PMC contractors will have to…More