Stop illegal use of water at construction sites: standing committee to civic administration The standing committee of the Pune Municipal Corporation on Tuesday directed the civic administration to issue stop work order to the builders of the on-going construction work that are illegally drawing water from the civic water supply system. The civic administration has been told to act tough against the builders, said Nilesh Nikam,chairman of the committee. He said the civic administration claimed that there was no illegal use of water by builders in the city as per their knowledge,but if anyone brings it to their notice,then prompt action will be initiated. Nikam said the step was necessary in view of the delayed rains which have led to water shortage in the city. The committee also approved the proposal of allowing development and maintenance work that would cost up to Rs 5 lakh at the ward level. The civic administration funds can be used for maintenance work at old wadas and society, Nikam said,adding that the decision has been taken in public interest. To clean the debris dumped in the river at Sangamwadi,he said the civic administration has been directed to double its manpower and machinery so that the work is carried out before the rainy season sets in. However,the expenses for the same should be incurred from those responsible for dumping,Nikam said. The committee witnessed differences within the ruling alliance for a tender approval proposal with the Shiv Sena seeking retendering of the road construction proposal of Nagar Road,saying it would lead to loss of Rs 3.5 crore to the civic body. The tender proposal approved by the standing committee is based on the old rates,which are higher than the existing rate finalised by the estimate committee, Sena leader Shyam Deshpande said,warning that if the proposal is not reconsidered then his party would file a complaint with the Union Government as the work is being carried out under JNNURM. Nikam said the tender was floated before the new rates came into existence and the approved proposal included a clause that the construction rate will be altered as per the existing rates of the raw material.
