Civic panel approves Rs 8cr for conservancy staff facilities

Pune: The standing committee on Thursday approved a Rs 8-crore proposal to provide facilities to conservancy staff handling domestic waste. The funds will be utilised to provide 42 facilities, including raincoats to sweepers and waste collectors. The committee’s chairman Shrinath Bhimale said the funds will be distributed to 15 ward offices, and the material will be purchased at market rate.Bhimale said that the committee discussed illegal construction on the hills across the city and instances of tekdis being gouged out. A detailed report has been sought from the civic administration on the construction proposals or digging approvals issued near tekdis. Bhimale said the administration has been told to implement GIS mapping of the tekdis and the hills.“We have told the administration to gather details of permissions issued for construction near the hills and tekdis. Civic teams should visit Bavdhan, Market Yard and Bibvewadi to ascertain the situation on the tekdis and hills,” he said.Bhimale added that the standing committee has also sought a report on the pending proposal of compensation against land acquisition. He said all departments under PMC must have the latest updates on land-acquisition proposals and the status of compensation to the owners.