Hearing on Kharghar civic body today

A nine-year-old girl walks the tightrope in Thane in the hope of earning money.

The public interest litigation (PIL) to set up a municipal corporation for Kharghar filed in Bombay high court will be heard on Thursday.

The petition could create hurdles in the creation of the proposed Panvel municipal corporation (PMC) as Kharghar is expected to be a part of it.

Filed by United Kharghar Action Committee (UKAC), an umbrella organisation of housing societies, social associations and Kharghar gram panchayat, the petition’s first hearing was last Thursday.

A Government Resolution declaring Panvel Municipal Corporation was issued on Friday after the governor gave his consent to the formation of the body

Meanwhile, the Taloja Manufacturers’ Association (TMA) has decided to oppose the inclusion of the Talojabased industries in the proposed Panvel Municipal Corporation.

The TMA has decided to approach the high court on the issue through a writ petition. The companies in the MIDC area in the region have long been opposing their inclusion in the PMC.

In a meeting earlier this week, TMA members expressed fear that if included in PMC, their taxes will increase manifold.

Sandeep Dongre, president of TMA, said, “The hike in property tax could be up to 10% and all our tax components along with worker wages will go up to 43%.”

“Around 900 industrialists will be hit along with almost 2 lakh workers. There are also worries of development in the MIDC area,” he added.

TMA secretary Jayeshree Katkar said, “We are not opposed to Panvel municipal corporation However, Taloja industrial area should not be included in it.”

“We are preparing to file a petition in this regard in Bombay high court,” added Katkar.

To give a leg-up to sports in schools and colleges and encourage students, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has decided to increase scholarship by 25% in all sport categories.

The monetary benefit is distributed annually to students. According to the revised scheme, students who top the international competition will receive Rs26,250, Rs18,750 for the runnerup and Rs12,500 for a third position. Participants in international events will get Rs10,000 each.

Students, who emerge victorious in national-level competitions will receive Rs8,750 as scholarship, Rs6,250 for the runner-up and Rs3,750 for a second runner-up. Participation in national-level competition will fetch them Rs2,500.

The NMMC has been giving such scholarships since 2011.

This is the first time in the past four years that the NMMC has hiked the amount. “We hope more students get into sports as it is essential for overall development,” said Ankush Chavan, additional city commissioner of NMMC.

PRAFUL GANGURDE