Pune : After a year of persistent follow-up, the Hirakni section, designed to cater to women employees and visitors at the main building of the municipality, has finally been put into operation. The cell was initiated on the ground floor of the main building following the State Commission for Women Chairperson Rupali Chakankar’s notification of an impending inspection. However, this event shed light on the municipality’s apparent insensitivity towards women’s issues.
In 2016, the establishment of the Hirakni room was celebrated, providing a dedicated space for women employees in the municipal corporation and those visiting the building for work. This room was equipped to accommodate nursing mothers for breastfeeding purposes and was initially located on the ground floor of the main building. However, a year ago, the Hirakni room was dismantled and replaced with a room for disabled individuals. A separate room on the third floor near the Kaka Vadke Auditorium was designated as an alternative, but the property department, which held possession of the land, did not release it for the Hirakni room.
During the winter session of the Legislature, the issue of the Hirakni Chamber was raised, and Vivek Velankar, the President of Sajjan Nagarik Mancha, highlighted the matter to Municipal Commissioner Administrator Vikram Kumar. Despite his complaint, the municipal administration failed to take concrete action, prompting Velankar to file a complaint with the State Women’s Commission.
Taking cognizance of the matter, State Women’s Commission President Rupali Chakankar ordered Municipal Commissioner Vikram Kumar to promptly initiate the Hirakni room. However, the administration rejected this order, leading Velankar to lodge another complaint with the State Commission for Women. In response, Chairperson Rupali Chakankar informed the Municipal Corporation of her intended inspection of the Hirakni room. Subsequently, administrative sources were swiftly mobilized, and the Hirakni room was inaugurated on the ground floor in the presence of Rupali Chakankar.
