Latest news with #PuneZillaParishad
Hindustan Times
05-08-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Pedalling towards progress: ZP opens cycle bank for girls
Pune : In a thoughtful and impactful move to enhance educational access for girls in rural regions of Pune district, the Pune Zilla Parishad has introduced a new initiative named 'Cycle Bank'. This scheme aims to provide bicycles to school going girls who face challenges in attending school regularly due to long travel distances and lack of affordable transport. Pune, India - Jan. 16, 2018: Students using OFO Cycles at SPPU Campus in Pune, India, on Tuesday, January 16, 2018. (Photo by Rahul Raut/HT PHOTO) In many remote villages of Pune district, students, particularly girls, have to travel several kilometers each day to reach their schools. The absence of safe and convenient transportation often results in irregular attendance and, in some cases, dropping out altogether. recognizing this critical barrier, the Pune Zilla Parishad's Cycle Bank program offers a practical solution aimed at increasing attendance and reducing dropout rates among girls studying in government run Zilla Parishad schools. The Cycle Bank will function at the school level, with each selected school maintaining a repository of bicycles either donated or sponsored by individuals and organizations. These bicycles will be lent out to girls from Class 5 to Class 8 who are most in need of transport support. Each bicycle is intended to serve one student for the entire academic year and until the student completes her studies at that school. once the student graduates or no longer needs the bicycle, it will be passed on to another girl in need. This ensures the creation of a sustainable and rotating pool of resources that continues to benefit multiple students over time. The initiative is built on the foundation of community support and collective effort. The Pune Zilla Parishad has extended an appeal to individuals, social organizations, corporate CSR wings, and educational institutions to contribute to the Cycle Bank through, donating a new bicycle for a girl student,sponsoring one or more bicycles,encouraging friends, families, and networks to participate and contribute The ZP has requested that donors hand over bicycles directly at their local Zilla Parishad schools during the Independence day celebrations on august 15 This is aimed at involving the community in the spirit of national service and girls empowerment through education. Those unable to attend in person but still wishing to contribute have been asked to get in touch with the Zilla Parishad team ahead of the August 15 event. For donations or queries, interested individuals can contact Mr. Pankaj Patil at 91- 94044 21427. Speaking about the initiative, Gajanan Patil, CEO of Pune Zilla Parishad, said 'By ensuring access to bicycles, we are enabling regular school attendance, removing barriers to education, and empowering rural girls. These bicycles are not just a means of transport, they represent self-confidence, opportunity, and a future full of possibilities.' The Cycle Bank initiative reflects the broader goal of empowering rural girls through inclusive and accessible education. It seeks not only to provide mobility but to instill a sense of independence and hope among young girls striving for a better contributing a bicycle, donors can help transform a student's journey to school into a journey of empowerment.
Indian Express
22-07-2025
- Indian Express
Collectorate submits report to the state government about Kundamala bridge collapse
The report on the Kundamala bridge collapse in Maval taluka has been submitted by the special committee formed by the district collector Jitendra Dudi. The report has raised questions regarding the personnel responsible for the upkeep of the bridge given the delays in important repairs. The special committee was headed by Additional District Collector Suhas Mapari and had representatives from various departments. The committee was supposed to determine who is to be held responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the bridge. In its report the committee noted that the bridge was constructed by the PWD in 1992. However, its ownership was not transferred to the Zilla Parishad which is why even after budget requests were made for renovation of the bridge it was not being implemented. While one end of the Bridge opened in land owned by the Army, the other end opened at land with the Pune Zilla Parishad. The PWD had undertaken extension of the bridge in 2004 but official handover of the bridge was not done to the Pune Zilla Parishad. This has caused a serious question about the authority on who was responsible for upkeep of the bridge. In 2017, the Zilla Parishad had estimated that it would take around Rs 3 crores to completely renovate the bridge. As this budget was deemed to be too high for the Zilla Parishad, the proposal was sent to the PWD after which there were no further updates on the project. The report was sent to the state government to take further action. The bridge over the Indrayani river in Kundamala had collapsed in June which had led to the death of four tourists and had injured 35 others.
Hindustan Times
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
75,000 women owning four-wheelers under scanner for ‘Ladki Bahin' scheme benefits
Around 75,000 women in the Pune district, registered as owners of four-wheelers, continue to be under scrutiny as the state government has now intensified its verification drive under the 'Ladki Bahin' scheme. The large number of potentially ineligible beneficiaries has triggered concerns over the initial screening process and prompted a detailed field-level verification. Around 75,000 women in the Pune district, registered as owners of four-wheelers, continue to be under scrutiny as the state government has now intensified its verification drive under the 'Ladki Bahin' scheme. (HT) According to officials in the special cell formed in Mantralaya to monitor the scheme, the state transport department submitted two lists to the Pune Zilla Parishad — one with 58,350 names and another with 16,750 — identifying a total of over 75,000 women in the district as four-wheeler owners. These lists were passed on to Anganwadi workers for on-ground verification. In the Pune district, the Chief Minister Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana has a total of 20.8 lakh beneficiaries. This represents the maximum number of beneficiaries for the scheme within the state of Maharashtra. Following field checks, it was found that around 58,000 women own four-wheelers. The remaining 17,000 cases were subjected to Aadhaar-based verification. The process is still underway to cross-verify the rest of the names. 'This large-scale discrepancy among 'Ladki Bahin' beneficiaries highlights serious flaws in the government's data screening. While the scheme's intent is good, execution lacks transparency. Genuine beneficiaries should not suffer due to these lapses,' said Meera Jambhale, a beneficiary from Hadapsar. The verification assumes significance as the scheme, which promises monthly assistance to eligible women, had initially extended benefits to nearly all applicants due to the election period. After the polls, however, the government clarified that only those meeting eligibility criteria would continue to receive aid. In the Pune district alone, 21,11,991 women had applied for the scheme. Of these, 20,89,946 are currently receiving monthly benefits. Disbursing ₹ 1,500 per month to over 2.5 crore women across Maharashtra has imposed a heavy financial burden on the state exchequer. 'Field verification has been ongoing for several months, especially in rural talukas of Pune district. However, the results so far have exposed inconsistencies in the initial data. The Women and Child Welfare Department is continuing its cross-verification to ensure that only genuinely eligible women are covered,' said a senior official from the Ladki Bahin scheme department at Mantralaya. Manisha Biraris, women and child development officer, Pune district, added, 'The verification is being done by Anganwadi workers based on data from the state transport department. We are confirming whether the listed women own four-wheelers.'
Indian Express
22-06-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Jyoti Savitri International School, inspired by Phules, set to open in Pune's Purandar next year
Inspired by the legacy of Mahatma Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule—pioneers of inclusive and girls' education—the Jyoti Savitri International School (JSIS) at Khanavdi in Purandar, Pune, will open in April 2026. Spread across a 12-acre campus supported by the Pune Zilla Parishad, JSIS will be a CBSE-affiliated institute. The school is scheduled to open with grades KG to 2 and will ultimately grow to serve approximately 1,840 students from deprived communities in and around Khanavdi through Class 12. Mahatma Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule spent their lives not just to educate girls but also to provide education to children from underprivileged communities. Despite the odds and opposition, the Phules, along with their friends, started multiple schools in Pune to provide education for children from marginalised communities. JSIS was conceptualised by Pune Zilla Parishad, Khanavdi villagers and Pensive Architecture company which provided pro bono services. Construction began in 2020–21 with a vision to serve underprivileged children, especially destitute girls. Fiat India Automobiles Private Limited (FIAPL). joined hands to help construct the infrastructure for the school through their corporate social responsibility initiative. The Pune Zilla Parishad has partnered with Christel House India to work towards the empowerment of the underserved communities. This public-private partnership envisions to follow the path shown by the Phules. Phase 1 of construction, supported by FIAPL, is in its final stages and will include administrative offices, 24 classrooms, science and computer laboratories, activity spaces, and sanitation facilities. Gajanan Patil, CEO, Pune Zilla Parishad, said, 'The Zilla Parishad is spearheading public-private partnerships in education, and we are delighted to see multiple parties join hands to make Jyoti Savitri International School a reality. Christel House India's proven model gives us confidence that underserved children in Khanavdi and nearby villages will receive a high-quality education, completely free of cost.'
Indian Express
20-06-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Palkhi: Pune Zilla Parishad's special mobile app for toilets
The Pune Zilla Parishad has come up with a mobile app called 'toilet seva' to ensure that the lakhs of devotees participating in the Ashadhi Wari during the Palkhi procession get access to clean civic amenities. It was conceived by Pune Zilla Parishad CEO Gajanan Patil. Mobile toilets have been provided at various places along the Wari route. There are nearly 1,800 toilets along the Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj Palkhi route, while the Sant Tukaram Maharaj Palkhi route includes around 1,200 toilets. There are 300 toilets along the Sant Sopan Maharaj Palkhi route. A special mobile app has been created for the management of these toilets, and services are available through the app, Chandrakant Waghmare, additional CEO, Pune Zilla Parishad, told The Indian Express. According to Amol Bhinge, founder, ToiletSeva, the app will include information about the toilets, electricity, road and sanitation at the location and a facility for people to register their feedback. QR code scanners have been installed on each toilet.
