Key BMC papers to be preserved at Stock Holding Corporation

Learning from the Mantralaya fire that had destroyed several valuable documents, the civic administration is planning to step up its plan of safeguarding key documents, most of which are as old as 140 years.

BMC is keen on preserving its important documents and records by storing them with the Stock Holding Corporation of India.

The agency also stores documents of prime stock markets like the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).

The civic records, most of which are of historical significance will be stored in a high security, highly mechanised safety vault. It will be fire-proof and earthquake resistant, said officials.

"The mechanism to store and retrieve files is robotic with minimum human interference. We will finalise the proposal in few days," said Municipal Commissioner Sitaram Kunte, adding that the initiative will help the civic administration shift to a paperless office.

"The files, which are being sent for storage, will first be digitised and a record of it will be kept with BMC for any future use," said Kunte.

Currently, over 1,200 volumes of records, which run into 1,000 pages each and date back to 1870s, are lying at the civic headquarters.

Officials said the records contain resolutions of general body meetings, standing committee meetings, improvement committee meetings and other major meetings, since the inception of BMC.

According to an official, the details include major decisions and historical records of storm water drains, roads, lease agreements, building and construction permissions, legal details and budgetary records.

Officials said the records, which will be sent for storage, include about 600 volumes from 1870 to 1980 that run 1,000-1,200 pages each and 580 volumes from 1980 to 2002, which run into about 700 pages each.

These volumes are handwritten in calligraphy script," said the official from BMC's Central Archives Cell. Besides, all the 'A-class documents', which are of permanent nature and have to be preserved, will also be sent for storage.

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