Appeal for depositing national flag

Appeal for depositing national flag
The Shaheed Naman Va Janjagruti Samiti, an autonomous body of Navi Mumbai scribes has appealed to residents to donate the national flag.
Nagmani Pandey, a convener of the committee says, "On the occasion of Independence Day and Republic Day people buy national flag to pin on their shoulder or chest. Many a time these fall on street and get crushed under the feet of passersby. This is a big insult to our national flag. Hence residents should please collect all flags found on street and call us after August 20. Our volunteers will approach and collect the flags. One can even donate flags to us so that they can be reused. Last year we had received few flags from different nodes of Navi Mumbai, which were reused. We believe this way we will not only be able to show the spirit of patriotism but also save nature".
Pandey adds, "One can donate flags by simply giving a call at 9322379123".

More seats demanded from NMMT

More seats demanded from NMMT
Considering the rising number of working women in city areas, BEST has increased the number of reserved seats for women while Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) undertaking Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport (NMMT) has not followed suit.
Women activist Sandhya P informs "During peak hours buses are so crowded that women passengers are hard put to find seats. As per the dictum of might is right most male passengers grab seats. Just a month back, BEST has doubled the number of reserved seats for women. This is an appreciable step taken by the undertaking".
Social worker Preeti Mandal says, "Previously in BEST buses only six seats were reserved for women. Now the number has been doubled to 12 seats. NMMC has been receiving awards for many of its achievements with respect to cleanliness and water supply. However, when it comes to women-friendly services why should it keep mum. Women of Navi Mumbai are no different than those from Mumbai. When the BEST can understand the need of doubling the reserved seats for women in bus then why can't the NMMC do so in NMMT buses."
Senior citizen V N Ahire also a resident of Sector-9 says that BEST has also doubled the number of seats for senior citizens from two to four. "As NMMC is the youngest corporation in the state, its undertaking NMMT must therefore not wait so long to implement a good step," he adds.
—Jaspal Singh Naol

Potholes pedestrians' bane too during monsoon

Potholes pedestrians' bane too during monsoon Potholes on road are bad news for motorists. But during monsoon when these potholes get filled with rainwater, it is pedestrians who need to take care. After all, who wants to get splashed with filthy water? This problem seems to be endemic at Vashi Bus Depot. Since water used to get filled in the potholes, last year height of the road was increased here to prevent water-logging. Daily commuters welcomed the step as they had to bear with the splashes on their clothes. Everything was fine till potholes started appearing on recarpeted roads inside the Vashi bus depot. Small and huge stones are always found flying in the air due to the impact of speeding buses. The situation has now worsened with the arrival of monsoon. Whenever a bus takes a turn from the bus stand meant for Bandra most of the commuters pray that no water or stone gets splashed. Triptesh Shetty, resident of Sector-46, Nerul who is an entrepreneur running pest control business recalls a horrible experience. "I was on a business meet with one of my colleagues at Vashi. We just alighted from NMMT AC bus coming from CBD Belapur and were discussing which way to go when all of a sudden a bus splashed filthy rainwater on us. Thoroughly drenched, we had to cancel our meeting and return. Like us there are many people who become hapless victims of this problem". Rajan Iyer, a senior citizen of Sector 9, Vashi says, "To save themselves commuters run towards footpath, but to their dismay the strip along that footpath is encroached by illegal hawkers". When contacted Jitendra Papalkar, general manager of NMMT said, "We have passed the tender for initiating work on filling the potholes. Once monsoon is over we will initiate the work." Will it help then, Mr Papalkar?

NMHOA felicitates hotel owners

NMHOA felicitates hotel owners
The Navi Mumbai Hotel Owners Association (NMHOA) recently conducted their annual general meeting and felicitated some hotel owners for their contribution in the industry. A new managing committee for the year 2010-11 was also formed.
Under the presidency of Suresh Shetty and guidance of secretary Kishore Shetty of NMHOA the 23rd annual general meet of their society was organised at Bunts Centre in Jui Nagar.
Kishore Shetty informed, "We organised this event for a healthy interaction in the industry. Seminars were held on three topics that included principals of healthy eating by Dr Anupkumar M Shetty, Diplomat in American Board of Nephrology, Innovation of Hotel Industry by Santosh R Shetty, Shristi Hospitality and Labour laws applicable to hotel industry by Padmanabh Shetty, advocate, labour law consultant."
Gopal Y Shetty, owner Hotel Parichay Bar and Restaurant, Vashi, Maruti Bhoir, Samadhan Bar and Restaurant, Nerul, Balkrishna T Shetty, Hotel Mamta Bar and Restaurant, New Panvel and Sitaram Poojari, Sai Group hotels all over Navi Mumbai were felicitated for their contributions in the industry. Hiriyanna C Shetty, Prithwish Bar and Restaurant, Nerul was awarded as 'Best Committee Member' of the year.
The representatives of the hotel industry expressed their concern over various issues. Rising price of food grains and fuel, eight times transfer fee for Permit Room being imposed and many other issues were taken up in the meet.

Safety of school going children must

Safety of school going children must
Rising number of accidents of school buses either due to fault of bus staff or violation of norms by operators and contractors, has forced authorities to sit up and take notice.
The Navi Mumbai and Raigad Regional Transport Office (RTO) and Navi Mumbai Traffic Police Department jointly organized a safety workshop for school bus operators at Mahatma Phule Hall, Vashi on August 1.
The workshop was attended by around 300 big and small school bus operators, contractors, drivers, attendants, transport managers, unit in-charges of Traffic Police and RTO.
Dy RTO Sanjay Raut informs, "We had invited everyone concerned with providing school transport. Our main focus was on drivers as they are the ones who play a major role in controlling the vehicle".
The event was organized in the presence of Navi Mumbai Traffic Police Deputy Commissioner Vijay Patil, Assistant Commissioner Shrikant Dhivre and addressed by eminent speaker Vinayak Joshi.
"Another major problem faced by schools is the congestion outside their premises. To ease traffic flow a special meeting will be organized with school principals on individual basis to understand the basic problems and accordingly after discussing the matter with traffic police a viable solution will be worked out".

Court ruling empowers NMMC to allow 1.5 FSI

Court ruling empowers NMMC to allow 1.5 FSI
For years Navi Mumbaikars had been enjoying one Floor Space Index (FSI) but were demanding more. Till the matter was sub-judice under a petition filed by a Mumbai-based NGO challenging the same the Town Planning department of NMMC was not able to provide the same. But with the high court ruling in favour, 1.5 FSI has been endowed on Navi Mumbaikars.
Navi Mumbai was developed by City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) as per their General Development and Control Regulations (GDCR) and City Development Plan (CDP). In 1992, NMMC came into existence as the administrative body. However, it had to follow rules made by CIDCO till 2009 and hence many development plans of NMMC could not take shape.
For the development of new structures in the city NMMC permitted developers to build with higher FSI. But this was challenged in a PIL filed by Mumbai Citizen Group in the high court. The NGO argued that if the FSI is increased more basic amenities will be required. This argument made HC order status quo in the matter and hence only 1 FSI was permitted for new development work in the city.
During the process the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission came into existence bringing in huge funds for the development of the city. However, as per the terms and condition the NMMC had to have its own GDCR and CDP to receive the grant and loan from central and state government. Accordingly from the year 2007 the process was initiated and by the end of 2009 NMMC was able to bring its own GDCR and CDP.
NMMC Town Planning Officer Bane informs, "It is only because we have our own GDCR which allows 1.5 FSI to housing societies above 1000 square metres along 15 metre roads that we are in position to provide the required basic amenities. The court has ruled in our favour and we also have the provision of providing 2.5 FSI for redevelopment of buildings which are in dilapidated condition".

navi Mumbai : Education : Parents allege arm-twisting by Sacred Heart School

Parents allege arm-twisting by Sacred Heart School
The management of Sacred Heart High School located in Sector 4, Vashi has drawn the ire of parents who feel that they and their wards are being exploited. Seventy per cent of the children studying here come from middle class families. Parents allege mental and physical harassment of their children. Fee hike is another major complaint of parents. The management has denied all charges.
Only after a number of
follow ups by parents the first meeting of parents and management was organized on July 23.
A parent said, "Fee has doubled in just two years. In 2008 the fee was hiked from Rs 450 to Rs 600 and now it has been raised to Rs 800 which is almost double!".
"Rs 1,000 were collected last year for taking children to picnic but the whole year no picnic was organized. Rs 2,500 were collected forcefully from us in the name of developing a basketball court and school magazine costing Rs 200 was also sold compulsorily," said another parent.
"The management stooped so low that they collected Rs 30 extra for delay in buying books from school in the name of fund for Catholic welfare but did not issue proper receipts. The cost of the books was Rs 465 but as many parents who were on vacation returned they were told to pay Rs 495. The receipt was manually changed from Rs 465 to Rs 495," fumed another parent.
"Rs 2,500 are charged extra for optional subject like Hindi and Sanskrit even when the tuition fee is taken for all subjects. Teachers who cannot speak Hindi properly are teaching subjects like Hindi and Marathi and hence they are unable to explain properly to students. Miscellaneous and activity charges are levied but no activities are conducted," said another parent.
"There is no toilets on third floor. Students are made to go to lower floors. Moreover, the toilets are in filthy condition and always stinking. Students are made to clean them in the name of social work. And children are compelled to buy tickets of charity show," fumed another parent.
"The school does not fail to collect Development Fund which is another name for donation. A student is not allowed to sit for his or her exam papers if the fee is not paid for two months. Moreover, the student and parents are insulted by teachers for disclosing the school's wrong-doings in front of other students and parents," said a parent.
Responding to the concerns of parents the school principal Father Joaquim D'Costa said, "I have joined from June 2008 and since then I have not allowed any amount to be collected as donation. The fee has been hiked due to implementation of Sixth Pay Commission". He mentioned the expenses borne by the school and said, "If we do not increase fee the school will have to bear a minimum loss of Rs one lakh every month. This may lead to closure of the school and risking the future of thousands of students."
This was challenged by the parents who had alleged that the management is manipulating the accounts by not disclosing the amount collected in the name of development fund, picnic charges, etc.
Responding to this the principal said, "To my knowledge there is no such fund collected. If such a thing comes to my knowledge I am ready to repay it.
The parents have called a gate meeting on July 30 at 8 am in front of the school.