PMC to police city eateries

PATNA: If you harbour political ambitions of becoming a councillor and are the biological parent of more than two children, you can just forget about it.
The new municipal ordinance promulgated by the Bihar government forbids those with more than two children from contesting municipal elections. However, the saving grace is that the rule will not be applicable for the forthcoming municipal elections scheduled for May 2007.The rule will come into effect from the next elections.
The ordinance, which came into force on February 1, 2007, has done away with the multiple civic authorities and has given all powers to the municipal corporation. Besides, the ordinance has also enforced election reforms, reserving 50 per cent of all seats for women while complying with the national reservation policy of keeping aside seats for ST, ST and EBC candidates.
All restaurants, sweet shops and other eateries will soon require licence from the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) for running their businesses. These business will now need to comply with laid down norms of hygiene and garbage disposal.
While the cynics say this will only lead to 'inspector-raj', optimists have reason to cheer. As in the case with the country's leading metros, the PMC will have powers to issue license for a host of trades including those which are polluting and hazardous.
For instance automobile workshops, clinics and nursing homes will now be keenly monitored by the PMC to see if these are polluting the environment.
Urban development secretary P K Basu told TOI that the ordinance has several landmark features. "We have taken features from municipal corporations in the country and also the model Bill circulated by the Government of India to prepare this."
Basu said in order to ensure smooth functioning of the corporation, the municipal commissioner will have financial powers up to Rs 10 lakh. He said a municipal tribunal would also be set up which would determine the tariff structure for many services.
PMC would also take over the function of Patna Regional Development Authority and Patna Water Board. Basu said: "Employees of the two agencies will be absorbed by the PMC as the corporation will need to expand to fulfil all its new duties."
He said the current state of affairs in PMC was a matter of concern. "We have started imparting training to employees on double entry system to ensure transparency and accuracy," he said adding once the training is over, the PMC will be computerised for better efficiency.
He also said the staff strength will have to be increased and new staffers may be hired on contractual basis.