Reporters’ notebook

In double mind

The BJP unit in Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) last week criticised the civic administration over the proposal to implement Intelligent Traffic System (ITS). However,when it came to decision on the proposal,the party seemed to be in two minds which made the party corporators question the stand in the meeting itself. The BJP was in the forefront to object to the proposal that would enable the civic administration fine commuters for jumping signals or crossing speed limit. The agitated corporators,including party leader Ashok Yenpure,blamed the inefficiency of the civic body in providing better public transport system as residents preferred to use private conveyance. But when a voting was called on the proposal,Yenpure asked party corporators not to vote against it. “Why opposing it during discussion when we are not voting against the proposal,” a corporator asked Yenpure.

Back to square one

The garbage dumping sites cleared by the local authorities have got a new political colour. Even as the city needs additional space to treat the increasing garbage,the clearances to these sites depend on the political will. Hence,though the municipal corporation and the district administration had decided to go ahead with the land acquisition,Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar did a volte face. Having chaired several meetings earlier to address the increasing garbage disposal issue for the city,he decided to play to the gallery by stating that the two sites zeroed in on were of historical importance and garbage could not be dumped there. “These places are of historical importance so we cannot have the (garbage dumping) sites here,” he said,addressing the residents of the village where sites are located. The villagers gave him a huge round of applause. However,the administration was completely taken aback as the government had earlier cleared the two sites. As a result,the issue is now back to square one,with the administration looking for new sites. “The politicians clear proposals and then go back on their own decision. The political will to resolve the issue seems lacking…” said a PMC official.

Generating heat

The non-functioning air-conditioner (AC) at the press room of the Pune Municipal Corporation sparked humour recently when a senior political leader held a press conference in the same room. Beginning her briefing,the leader said the room was too hot and humid,quickly adding that she was not aware of the sorry state of the AC. To this,a journalist sharply reacted saying the press room had been kept deliberately hot as media at large was heating the city atmosphere by giving breaking and sensational news about the civic body. The remark spread peals of laughter among journalists as well political activists present on the occasion.

(Contributed by Anuradha Mascarenhas,Ajay Khape,Nisha Nambiar and Prasad Joshi)