The amount has been given by the General Insurance Corporation as part of a Central Government scheme.

A proposal to purchase the equipment was passed at the Standing Committee meeting presided over by Dr Jigeesha Sheth on Thursday. The final nod, however, will be given by the General Board.

Stressing the need to purchase the equipment, the administration stated that the civil defence has categorised Vadodara in ``Class A'' category as far as disaster management goes. With mega-industrial units around the city, there is a need to keep the technology in tune with the times. Moreover, planning to tackle any eventuality should be done keeping in view the increasing population, the proposal said.

The civic body has decided to purchase three ambulances worth Rs 14 lakh, two small fire-fighting units worth Rs 20 lakh, one foam tanker costing an estimated Rs 28 lakh and PVC and fire boats.

In another decision, the Committee accepted the administration's proposal to change the site of 396 houses planned for the economically and socially weaker sections of the society. The VMC Union had opposed construction of the houses in town planning scheme number 9 as the place was earmarked for houses for VMC employees. The houses will now be constructed at town planning scheme number 20.

Meanwhile, the Committee rejected a contractor's demand of increasing labour charges by Rs 3 per meter for giving pipeline gas connections.