MERC asks Reliance to buy WPCL power

WPCL had offered to supply 260 MW to Reliance at a levelized tariff of Rs 4.85 per unit for three years in March 2010. The power purchase agreement (PPA) was executed in June. However, Reliance, which needed this power for Mumbai, sought to terminate the PPA in December on grounds of non-execution of fuel supply agreement (FSA) and some deviations sought by WPCL. It offered to pay compensation to WPCL as per law adding that as the plant was not operating the supplier was not incurring any loss.

While WPCL is selling its power at Rs 4.85 per unit to Reliance, MSEDCL is ready to buy power from Koradi at Rs 4.10 per unit. WPCL was also having problems in getting a transmission licence from Mahatransco. It got permission on January 7. WPCL then filed a petition in MERC on January 24 against Reliance.

Consumer representative Ashok Pendse pointed out that Reliance was facing a shortfall of 600 MW in Mumbai that it was meeting by buying power from other companies. If WPCL power was not purchased, the gap would increase to 860 MW. MERC also stated that in consumer interest, Reliance would have to buy the power as the PPA was executed as per central government norms. The Commission also dismissed other contentions of Reliance. It will have to buy 120 MW from April 20 and full quantum of 260 MW from May 1.

Meanwhile, Abhijeet MADC Nagpur Energy Pvt Ltd (AMNEPL), which had executed a 55 MW PPA with Reliance, also sought an approval from MERC. The Commission stated it was examining legal validity of the PPA and until then Reliance should not cancel the PPA.

Nagpur Municipal Corporation School issue

Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) does it, there is none. NMC claims to have demolished a part of Mahatma Gandhi Centennial Sindhu High School (MGCSHS), Jaripatka, on Friday but strangely TOI did not find any signs of demolition.

The school is run by Deepak and Veena Bajaj, who are politically influential. Enforcement superintendent Maroti Ninawe told TOI that NMC had demolished a part of the upper slab (terrace) and front portion of the compound wall. He claimed that as the NMC enforcement department did not have machines it had to do the job manually. The job began in the afternoon and continued till about 6 pm.

The department would seek directions from municipal commissioner Aseem Gupta regarding further action. Strangely, when TOI photojournalist went to the spot, the school caretaker told him that some NMC staffers along with a cop had come to the school and left without doing anything in ten minutes.

TOI did not find any signs of demolition. Ninawe said that the owners had built the school building in violation of development control rules (DCR). In fact they had not submitted any building plan to the NMC's town planning department, which was mandatory.

NMC had issued a show cause notice to the school owners on January 29 under Sections 53 (1) and 54 of Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act. The nearby residents obtained a copy of the notice under right to information (RTI) Act. Bajajs soon submitted a building plan to the town planning department. However, the department found out that the 9,000 square feet construction was violating several norms and recommended that it should be demolished.

The municipal commissioner ordered the enforcement department to raze the building. An NMC officer said that the school had become nuisance for nearby residents as it caused daily traffic jams in the area. Secondly, the school was given on rent for functions and many times loudspeakers were used in night, which disturbed the sleep of locals.

Adv Rohit Laharwani had spearheaded a campaign against the school lodging several complaints with various authorities.

No takers for PWDs ambitious Vidhan Bhavan, MLA Hostel, Ravi Bhavan renovation

Global recession has badly hit the ambitious project of Public Works Department (PWD) for renovation and extension of Vidhan Bhavan building, MLAs Hostel and Ravi Bhavan on Build-Own and Transfer (BoT) basis at Nagpur.

Sources informed that no major private player has shown interest in the ambitious renovation project worth Rs 175 crore. The last date for receiving of tenders was January 27, and no one had submitted offer letter till date. Maharashtra Cabinet has given nod to the proposal of PWD for renovation of government buildings by developing 12,695 sq mt of land with permissible construction of 35,000 sq mt at the office of PWD Division I at Sadar market in November 2008. This is a prime land at Sadar market with PWD. The developer was to commercially use this prime land and in turn would construct buildings and renovate old building worth Rs 100 crore. Maharashtra Government has agreed to give the land on 99 year lease to developer. The contractor was required to construct commercial complex or multiplexes on land of PWD division I and from that amount, he/she was to construct and renovate buildings. Maharashtra Legislature, the space of chambers for Ministers, Ministers of State and other important office-bearers was found woefully inadequate for discharging their official duties. The party offices have small area for legislative party meetings and it is very difficult to accommodate post office, banks therefore, the department has proposed construction of new G + 9 building at Vidhan Bhavan premises. The legislators are also demanding additional room for accommodation of their constituency workers and party workers. In Mumbai MLA Hostel, the legislators are having two blocks, one for them and other for their party and constituency workers. The department has proposed two new floors at existing MLA Hostel buildings. The office staff of various departments of Mantralaya, Vidhan Bhavan, secretaries, principal secretaries are residing in different places like hostel of Vasantrao Naik College, Institute of Science which affects the education of students. Some of the staff members are accommodated in 160 rooms meant for regular government employees.

It was proposed that Government should construct new building for accommodation of these employees. The department has also proposed to unite all the offices of PWD in one administrative building. Sources informed that in spite of construction of Rs 100 crore, the department has sought highly inflated premium from the contractor. A pre-tender conference with reputed developers and builders was held at Nagpur last year. The developers had raised some issues related to terms and conditions of tender but Maharashtra Government had rejected their objections. The proposal was good if it was to materialise in 2006-07, when there was boom in realty market, now, the position has drastically changed. The realty market has taken a nosedive and there are no takers for high price commercial premises. The construction of shopping complex and multiplexes of NMC too came to a grinding halt due to bad economic situation of realty market.

Indira Gandhi Government Medical College (IGGMC) Wants extra PG seats

Indira Gandhi Government Medical College (IGGMC) Wants extra PG seats

IGGMC dean, Dr A B Dongre told TOI that a few days ago, the college had sent information needed by the Medical Council of India (MCI) as a procedure to ask for an increase in seats. "We are expecting a favorable response from MCI," he said.

However, sources say that IGGMC was not included in the first list announced by MCI for an increase of 101 seats out of the additional 2000 seats offered by the council because the college had not sent the information in time and in the prescribed format.

But the college still has a chance as the final decision regarding which college would get how many seats will be conveyed to the central government only after the MCI's executive committee meeting slated for February 25 in Delhi.

The only hitch is that the MCI may consider an increase in PG seats based on the clear 60 under graduate seats which means that the college would get an increase of about 10-12 seats.

This Valentine's Day has special meaning in Nagpur City

Cupid is rekindling same-sex romance on Valentine's Day too. Long drives to lonely musings, from roses to candle-lit dinners and then from holding hands to passionate lip-locking, they vow to have it all on Sunday. While some top greeting card companies have put special cards on sale in metros, Nagpur doesn't have any for this community. Nevertheless, they are determined to celebrate the day like the rest of the 'regular' lovey-dovey couples.

This Valentine's Day has special meaning as it's the first after the judiciary and government have taken a soft stance on same-sex relationship. Unnatural sex was and, still is, a punishable offence. However, a Delhi High Court decision has taken a liberal view on Section 377 of the IPC: Consensual sex between two adults is permitted but if it's under force or on minors, it still remains punishable.

Pawan, a gay rights activist and counsellor, is disappointed that he would not be with his special friend on Saturday. "He is in Mumbai," said Pawan. "I will buy 11 roses for him as he would be on my mind throughout the day. We plan to speak over the phone for a long time as I want to ensure that he will not be saddened by the separation."

Pawan also urged the police and others to ensure that the rights of the gay and lesbian community is respected on the day.

Pawan's friend Hitesh said that nothing can substitute the fun of having his 'love' beside him. "I had asked him to come over. It would have been a candle-lit dinner and followed by a surprise gift. We could have spent time shopping too. Now, we have put off the plan for the next time when we meet," said Hitesh, recalling how a friendship in 2006 turned into an emotional affair two years later.

Renu is gearing up to be with her friend. "We plan to be together for the whole day having fun, go see a movie and then dinner at a nice place and then...." she trails off. Renu realises there will be social opposition against the relationship but she's hopeful and wants to settle down with her beloved. "Nagpur mein log hume kyon nahi jeene dete hai? (Why do Nagpurians not want allow us to stay together)."

Robin is delighted that his engineer boyfriend has decided to chuck a highly-paid job in Mumbai, sever all ties in the metro and reach here on Saturday. "We plan to watch 'My Name is Khan' because of Shah Rukh Khan. Recently, we had gone to see another SRK starrer 'Rab Ne Banadi Jodi'. My friend was so happy after watching it that he confessed of seeing the Rab (God) in my face," said Robin, who is a student in a reputed college.

Sam wants to gift his boyfriend a watch on Sunday. "He is a dumbo and keeps me waiting all the time. A lazy bum," said Sam who plans to go to a disco and have a blast.

Anand, an activist attached to Saarathi Trust which is an NGO working for the cause of safe sex among same sex couples, had a words of caution for all the Valentine's Day revellers, be it gay or lesbian or straight, to keep a tab on the fun-o-meter. "Hey folks, let your hair down but not at the cost of health or safety," he said.