PMC's efficiency 'go up in smoke'

Visitors at the Balgandharva Rangmandir auditorium witnessed the careless attitude of Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Saturday. The health department staff were fumigating the building while the audience were entering the venue.

The occasion was the ninth Lokshahir Annabhau Sathe state-level literary convention inaugurated by cabinet minister for sanitation Laxman Dhoble.

There was chaos for awhile as the auditorium was covered in white dense smoke thus forcing visitors to step out.

Balgandharva Rangmandir auditorium assistant manager TS Milkhe said that the health department staff, who were supposed to fumigate the premises in the morning, turned up late.

When asked about the need to sanitize the complex while the audience had arrived, he said that mosquito menace had forced the auditorium management to write a letter to the health department for fumigation a week ago.

“As the programme was going to be held on Saturday, an emergency reminder letter was sent on Friday. Hence, the health department sent their staff for disinfection,”  Milkhe said.
Playing down the embarrassment, Balgandharva Rangmandir manager said, “There is no cause for concern as the white smoke will disappear in a matter of minutes and it is not harmful.”

False claim
Even as Kumawat quoted that the emergency fumigation ‘affect’ will wear out soon, the venue was enveloped in  white smoke even when Granth Dindi or Palakhi was brought into the auditorium, and after chief guest and cabinet minister for sanitation Laxman Dhoble arrived at the venue.