Mr CM, your staff spit in the eye, and it stinks

Mantralaya stinks, literally! The state powerhouse, or whatever’s left of it after the fire, not only houses offices of important leaders but also a dump in its backyard. And students and staff at Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS) are bearing the brunt.

JBIMS shares a wall with Mantralaya. Not only is the garbage and scrap dumped in the backyard an eyesore to the 300-odd students, professors and other staff at JBIMS, but it also constantly gives off a foul odour. Mantralaya employees spitting from windows only make matters worse.

A professor said, “Housekeeping staff at Mantralaya clean the entrance, dump the plastic, papers and other scrap in the backyard and forget about it. And, it’s disgusting to see people spitting one after the other.”

The five-floor institute houses lecture rooms, library, common room, professor’s cabins and director’s office as well as home.
Those at the institute are now planning to hang ‘PLEASE DON’T SPIT HERE’ posters outside their windows facing the backyard but are doubtful if it will deter those who “not only lack civic sense but also don’t think twice about spoiling their own office”. Institute authorities are also planning to write to the chief minister.

However, it doesn’t seem likely their petition will be attended to anytime soon, as the CM is too busy putting his own house in order.

JBIMS director Kavita Laghate couldn’t be reached for comment. Section officer, PWD, at the Mantralaya Chandrakant Padale was on leave. His aide Ajay Vagare expressed helplessness on people’s spitting habit but promised to clear the garbage and scrap soon.