In Brief 8212; Pune

Kadir Solapuri passes away
Solapur: Well-Known Urdu poet Kadir Solapuri passed away here on Thursday morning offer prolonged illness. He was 82 and survived by three sons. Kadir8217;s first book Buye-Pairahari8217;was extremely popular. He participated in many mushairas8217; with top notch poets Sardar Jafri, Sahir Ludhyanvi, Kaisarul Zafari, Iftekhar Imam and others. He was a teacher. People from different walks of life paid homage to him.

Privatisation of octroi mooted
Solapur:
Solapur Municipal Commissioner D M Mandelekar proposes to introduce privatisation of the octroi which would fetch at least Rs 10 crore more than the previous collection of Rs 30 crore.

The move is to boost the SMC8217;s coffers, he told media persons here on Wednesday evening. Mandalekar refuted the Mayor8217;s charges that road construction in the city was poor. He said the work has been checked by public works department and certificates have been obtained from the PWD about the quality of the material. Mandalekar made it clear that assistant commissioner G R Godbole will not be transferred as the resolution passed by the civic body to this effect was illegal. G R Godbole and Vasant Sawant were also present.