In Brief 8212; Pune

For many years, the residents of Ahmednagar were supplied water twice a day. But during the last two years, due to the shortage of water, the citizens receive water only once in a day. Often, water is supplied only once in two days. Due the low pressure, water does not reach the higher floors of buildings. A few years ago, a booster was installed on the central water scheme to provide water to people living in multi-storeyed buildings but there was absolutely no improvement in the water situation. The work of the third stage of the prestigious improvised water scheme completed last year. Although Rs 25 crores were spent on the scheme, even now, water supply is disrupted at least five to six times every month.

While the water supply to the city is totally disrupted, the MSEB has been very active is seeking recovery of the pending power bills. During the last six months, the MSEB issues notices to the council, threatening to cut off the power supply in the event of failure to pay the arrears.

No split in Sena8217;
Maintaining that he had never encouraged politics of defection in his 35-year-old political career, Rane scotched rumours of any spilt in the ruling Shiv Sena party. He was reacting to the charges levelled against him 8220;for encouraging activities8221; against Chief Minister Manohar Joshi. 8220;Nobody should look towards the party with suspicion,8221; he said, contending that he had never encouraged discussions at the recent winter session at Nagpur.