Missing J-K on PMC map: protests galore

After receiving flak from corporators cutting across party lines over the Environment Status Report (ESR) that did not show Kashmir as part of India,the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has been slammed by various organisations and political parties for the same. The BJP on Friday staged protests at the civic body’s headquarters in Shivajinagar while the Bajrang Dal and Indian Youth Forum have condemned the act and demanded action against the erring officials.

BJP leaders and members congregated near the PMC gate shouted slogans against the civic body. President of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha,a youth wing of the party,Muralidhar Mohol said,”In order to condemn it we had also brought an effigy of the civic administration to burn. However,the police authorities confiscated it from us. We met civic chief regarding the flaw in the map,and he has promised to take action against the culprit in this case after a committee appointed on same comes out with its report.” Meanwhile,members of Bajrang Dal also met the civic officials in this regard and demanded quick action against those found guilty.The Indian Youth Forum has threatened the civic body to take the matter to high court if no action taken was taken immediately.

The cover page of 2008-09 ESR by PMC shows the map of India without the state of Kashmir,which led to much ire among politicians in the city during the general body discussion.

All hell broke loose on Thursday when Shiv Sena leader Shyam Deshpande pointed out the mistake on the cover page of the ESR and demanded stern action against the guilty. Mayor Rajlaxmi Bhosale immediately issued an order for action against those found responsible for the mistake.

A committee has been set up to inquire into the issue and submit a report within a week.