The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) proposes to charge Rs 5 each from visitors at civic hospitals wanting to meet patients between 11 am and 12 noon. Currently, visitors are allowed in only between 4 pm and 6 pm. The new timings would ``help relatives see more of the patients,'' said Mayor-in-Council member in charge of health, Sardar Tara Singh. ``As of now, relatives had to wait 24 hours before they could see the patient again. Now, they would be able to see the patients sooner, and get them home-cooked food too.'' Relatives will also be able to meet doctors easily now, as it is usually difficult to meet them in the evening, Singh added.

The MiC passed the proposal on Wednesday.

Tatas to review power tariff

The Tatas are contemplating to hike the electricity tariff in the city following the recent hike in standby charges by the Maharashtra State Electricity Board (MSEB) to the Tata Electric Companies (TEC). In a press release on Friday, TEC saidthat the hike in electricity charges could be avoided, had the Bombay Suburban Electric Supply (BSES) Company shared the increased standby charges of the MSEB. TEC's contention to the government has been that BSES should contribute its surplus earnings amounting to over Rs 150 crore for standby charges which could be passed on to MSEB and avoid tariff hike to the consumers.