Pimpri-Chinchwad diary

Two former mayors battle it out

THE PCMC general body meeting witnessed a verbal duel between two former mayors — Yogesh Behl and R S Kumar. The spat started after Behl objected to the manner in which Municipal Commissioner Shrikar Pardeshi ordered a departmental inquiry against health chief Dr Anand Jagdale. “Minutes before Dr Jagdale’s retirement,the civic chief ordered an inquiry without following proper laid down procedure. Dr Jagdale did not even get a decent send-off. The commissioner humiliated a senior officer who had served PCMC to the best of his abilities for 30 years. PCMC has never treated its officers in such a manner,” said Behl. This angered Kumar who rose to the defence of the civic chief. “There were allegations against Dr Jagdale…The civic chief has done the right thing,” said Kumar. As the decibel level rose,Pardeshi kept silent,while Mayor Mohini Lande restored peace in the House.

Breather for 10,000 illegal water connections

THIS is another surprise from the PCMC administration,which is going hammer and tongs against anything that is illegal or improper in town or in civic functioning. The administration has decided to regularise as many as 10,000 illegal water connections by charging a penalty of Rs 7,000 for each. The scheme is open till April 30. However,the announcement was made last week by Mayor Mohini Lande and not Commissioner Shrikar Pardeshi. When asked how an illegal activity can become legal in his regime that has flattened several illegal structures,Pardeshi said: “Several citizens are getting water through illegal means and not paying taxes. If they are given connections,PCMC can get the water tax.”

(Compiled by Manoj More)