Pune: A fast-track system introduced by the PMC for speedy disposal of applications for water connections is getting a good response from citizens.The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has received 140 applications within a fortnight since the launch of this online service. The civic administration allotted its first connection to a housing society in Parvati on Wednesday.The system has been introduced for ease of business. Many lacunas in the manual system can be avoided with this online service, said Aniruddha Pawaskar, head of the PMCs water supply department.Activists said the civic administration should take steps to reduce illegal water connections. They alleged that some PMC officials were adopting corrupt practices while giving water connections. Some cases of bribes being paid for water connections have surfaced, the activists said.Water wastage, water theft and low-pressure water supply can be resolved if the civic administration curbs illegal connections, said Vivek Velankar of Sajag Nagrik Manch, a citizen group. The PMC had launched an amnesty scheme for citizens to get their illegal water connections regularised by paying a one-time penalty. The civic areas have nearly 4.5 lakh such connections. We also published the following articles recentlyPune: Vimannagar water woes continue, PMC promises action within a dayResidents of Vimannagar in Pune are facing water shortages and low pressure in the water supply for the past 10 days. Despite dams receiving substantial rains, the supply has been reduced by 50%. The residents are demanding clarity on the reasons behind the water shortage and questioning why Vimannagar has been singled out while other parts of the city continue to receive uninterrupted water supply. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is working to resolve the issue and improve water supply in the area.Elon Musks son has an Indian connectionDuring the AI Safety Summit in the UK, Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar met with Elon Musk. Chandrasekhar shared on social media that Musk named one of his sons after Indian-American physicist S Chandrasekhar. The Nobel Prize-winning physicist was recognized for his studies on the structure and evolution of stars. Musk and his partner Shivon Zilis welcomed their children, Strider and Azure, in November 2021. Chandrasekhar is representing India at the AI summit.India-EU Connectivity Partnership can deliver sustainable connectivity solutions in the Global South: MEA Secretary Dammu RaviIndias Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (Economic Relations), Dammu Ravi, highlighted the potential of the India-EU Connectivity Partnership to provide sustainable connectivity solutions in the Global South. He also discussed Indias partnership with the European Investment Bank in urban mobility and clean energy. Additionally, Ravi held meetings with European Commission representatives to discuss the progress of India-EU Free Trade Agreement negotiations and further cooperation for trade growth. The negotiations, which began in 2007 and were relaunched in 2021, aim to eliminate trade barriers and promote stronger economic ties.

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