Highly placed sources told Express Newsline on Tuesday that the request would be made before the government officers, with whom the VMC would convene a meeting on Wednesday.

At the meeting, the VMC would also be reviewing the position of water levels in the Kadana and Panam dams.

According to VMC sources, if the rains are not good in the second spell, Ajwa can cater to demands only for the next eight months. Ajwa water constitutes 20 per cent of the total water supply of the city.

Govt body urges VMC to release bus: One of the leading government-undertakings situated on the city's outskirts has urged the VMC to release its luxury bus which was seized on the charges of octroi evasion.

The bus was seized over a fortnight ago as part of the VMC's drive to recover octroi from vehicles which are registered outside the city but have to pay octroi as per rules.

According to unofficial information, the letter states that if the bus is not released, the company's relations with the VMC would worsen. VMC officials, however, deny this.

ACS in city: Additional Chief Secretary A R Banerjee on Tuesday listened to representations by VMC officials in connection with charges against former Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Administration) N K Talpada.

During his tenure, Talpada was charged with irregularities in granting plots earmarked for the economically weaker sections of society to those who do not fall in this category. Talpada has now retired.

The inquiry went to the State Government as he was class I government official. A simultaneous inquiry is also on in the VMC against other officers involved.

Banerjee will visit city again in September, VMC sources said.

VMC congress men demand representation: The Opposition Congress in the VMC has urged the administration to represent before the State Government to maintain the water level in Mahisagar.

In a statement on Monday, Kanchanbhai Parmar, Chirag Zhaveri and others have alleged that as the water level in Mahisagar is not being maintained, the french wells cannot draw water to their maximum capacity.

The VMC is convening a meeting with executive engineers of the Panam and Kadana dams to review the water position. Mahisagar gets water from these dams.

Parmar and Zhaveri have stated that at a time when the water level of Ajwa reservoir is around 206 feet as compared to 211 feet in earlier years, it was necessary for the VMC to chalk out a plan for water supply in the months to come. The councillors have also asked whether there would be cuts in water supply in the coming months.

BBC allegation against police: President of the Beautiful Baroda Council R O Shah has alleged that the police does not register FIRs against people who let cattle loose on the city thoroughfares.

In a statement he said that this happens despite the VMC supplying the list of people who let the cattle loose.

Shah lamented that although an assurance was given by the then-Additional Commissioner of Police M K Tandon six months ago that the problem of stray cattle would be addressed, nothing much has been done.

The BBC chief said that after the VMC catches cattle and lodges them in the cattle pounds, it is the police's responsibility under the Bombay Police Act to register an FIR.