Civic sources told Express Newsline on Thursday that the decision to raise the fodwari/quota had come in wake of the stiff resistance from councillors against Municipal Commissioner G R Aloria's proposal to cut the same to Rs 2 lakhs. The sources added that the decision had been taken considering the fact that the civic elections were only 15 months away.The Standing Committee will formally present the final budget to the General Board on February 16.

Mayors' summit: A delegation comprising Mayor Bharti Vyas and Municipal Commissioner G R Aloria on Thursday left for Honolulu, Hawaii Island, USA, to participate in the `Mayors Asia-Pacific Environment Summit-1999' to be held at Honolulu from January 31 to February 3. The seminar aims to develop solutions to the environmental challenges facing cities and local communities and to promote sustainable development in the Asia Pacific Region. The delegation will present the scenario of Vadodara city with regard to civic amenities such as water supply, sewerage, waste water treatment, solid waste management and urban governance, efforts undertaken for the betterment of the same and scope for future vis a vis other cities in Gujarat and the country.

Holiday: The Municipal School Board has announced a holiday on Friday for teachers of municipal schools, balwadis and class IV workers under the Board who had participated in the Bal Mela '99 organised by the Board between January 24 and 26 here. However, the Board office will remain open.