03 May,2011 06:26 AM IST | | Vivek Sabnis
Fed up with the ritual of washing around 250 statues thrice a year, the PMC's fire brigade is apparently furious at the authorities who have been "misusing its resources and manpower" for years in violation of a 2007 government resolution that prohibits using firefighter for other purposes.
The officials of the fire brigade have requested the PMC commissioner to stop assigning the firefighters for on such "unimportant" works.
After sprucing up the statues on the eve of Maharashtra Day, the firefighters categorically said that they won't do the washing job henceforth. The firefighters are usually assigned to the washing job on Republic Day, Independence Day and Maharashtra Day.
So far, they have been silently obeying the orders for washing statues from PMC ward offices, local MLAs or corporators. They not only wash all these statues a day before the event, but also organise their snorkel device for garlanding the sculptures the next day.
Referring to a 2007 Government Resolution, Prashant Ranpise, deputy chief fire officer, PMC said it is an offence to use the fire brigade services for other purposes. And it invites action against the officer on duty and those responsible for issuing such orders.
