Newsletter dated 30th  November 2006 :  for distribution to all Delhi RWA Chiefs

Sealings and demolitions issue:  With each passing day, the stand taken by People’s Action and consequently by URJA, of involving all groups that are affected by the sealings and demolitions issue have been proved correct. Progressively, we have seen a discernible shift on this issue first among citizen groups and then the media as well, that was unable to see the long term implications of such stringent orders of the SC being implemented by as corrupt a body as the MCD. The sum total has been that there has been continuous political one-upmanship between the State and the Centre, between the Court and the Ministry, the opposition parties and the ruling party with no benefit to either residents, or traders or the lakhs of professionals who stand to lose.

People’s Action in association with URJA members organised a consultation with trader groups and RWAs to hammer out a reasonable solution that profits all. The result of this meeting was a direct appeal to the Chief Justice to allow for a reasonable settlement of the issue and take cognisance of the ground realities. In addition to this, People’s Action undertook wide ranging consultations with all stakeholders and finally brought them all together on one platform where it was decided that the best solution for all concerned would be the setting up of an Empowered Committee which has experts, urban planners on it to not only suggest near term but long term solutions to the needs of the city of Delhi. Although the last order of the Court did not accede to this suggestion, our view remains the same: unless we account for the aspirations of all members of our society, there will always be imbalances. We maintain that an Empowered Committee of experts reporting to the Supreme Court be asked to develop an integrated plan for the city that takes into account the concerns of ALL sections of Delhi’s residents and provides time bound, practical solutions which may be implemented under Court orders.

Formation of NDPA: Pursuant to the resolutions passed during the RWA convention of July 14th, we have been working hard to constitute a larger group of civil society organisations on the lines of URJA called New Delhi People’s Alliance. We are happy to report that we now have over 24 organisations as signatories to the NDPA resolution to fight for middle class interests in Delhi. Some of the prominent members of NDPA include, ADR, Manushi, IPED, Kisan Chetna Manch, Ridge Bachao Andolan, IIT Kharagpur Alumni Association, MRGG, NDTA, VOICE, DCCI,CMS, Janadesh. Even as we write this report, new members are coming on board. People’s Action member Alpana Kishore has been entrusted with the responsibility of coordinating the efforts of NDPA in the interim until a full body is evolved with a Chairman. If you would like to be part of the NDPA [URJA members are automatically members ] through any NGO or society, please contact Ms. Alpana Kishore on 9811144407.

Electricity issue & Meter replacement drive: The second and third Bijli Adalats in Naraina Vihar and Mayur Vihar respectively went according to plan. A great event was put up by Mr. Talwar in Naraina Vihar and Mr NN Mishra echoed the same in Mayur Vihar. Our thanks are due to all members who worked to make these events successful particularly the Hon’ble Judges who kindly consented to preside and Advocates Laliet Kumar and P. S. Sharda who moderated the two events. On the meter replacement issue, all residents were warned that as per HC judgement on meter replacement, while the companies have been allowed to change meters, they have to first give you a certificate confirming that your existing wiring is fine and that there will be no possibility of earth leakages once the new meters are installed. In the event that your wiring could cause leakage of current, the company must give you a week’s notice to correct the anomaly. For your benefit and the benefit of your residents, the relevant para of the judgement is reproduced below.

The writ petition accordingly stands disposed of answering the four questions framed as aforesaid. Relief is declined to the petitioner. However, directions are issued to the respondent No. 1 to notify all consumers in whose premises electronic meters have been installed to check their wiring and ensure that no two connections have a common neutral. For future, before replacing the existing electro-mechanical meter with an electronic meter, wiring of the consumer would be checked and if it is noted that there is inter-mixing of the neutral wire, a weeks notice before replacing the meter be given to the consumer to have the deficiency removed."

A second victory for RWAs: This year, like the last year our strategy to demand a 50% reduction in tariff to point out the surcharge we were paying for theft has worked. Those in the know will see clearly that our campaign successfully thwarted another hike for the second year running. This is our second victory in as many years and it is to the credit of all those individuals and RWAs that valiantly joined us in paying only 50% of their bills that we have succeeded once again.

Dengue epidemic: RWAs came under pressure from a single official of the MCD who was smart enough to use his influence and position to berate RWAs across Delhi accusing them of neglect on the issue of Dengue. It was shocking to see that after a while even media started following that trend, with a major Delhi newspaper openly questioning RWAs role in the issue. It took us considerable amount of time and argument to show that the MCD, with ample support from the Government was only trying to shift the blame. To this extent, People’s Action through its legal affiliate Jan Sehyog Manch has filed a petition in the High Court taking to task the MCD and the government of Delhi on their preparation and control of the virus. As reported in the media, we believe that the MCD purposely deflated death and infection figures to resist declaring an epidemic. We believe that the Chief Minister by issuing satisfactory messages at crucial times during the epidemic also jeopardised the lives of lakhs of residents who were lulled into the belief that all was under control when in fact this has been the HIGHEST death toll due to dengue in more than a decade.
 
[REMINDER] Delhi Government’s Petitions Committee: Dr. S.C.Vats, Congress MLA, has now taken over chairmanship of the Petitions Committee of the Delhi Government. The Petitions Committee is a powerful committee that can direct issues to the attention of the Speaker in the assembly and seek answers to the settlement of such petitions. RWAs are advised to draw up petitions on any issues of concern such as power or water and submit it through the local MLA  [petitions must be submitted only through MLAs ] Once that is done, the Petitions committee is empowered to take the issue up at the state level.

Role of RWAs in Governance.: It is increasingly being noticed that many people are confusing the role of RWAs with the role of Government. As was argued in our last letter, RWAs must not clamour for more powers, or financial grants to execute projects – if they do that they will not remain resident bodies, but become part of the government. We have seen how the erroneous idea of more powers to RWAs has created a huge disaster for the RWA movement in the sealings issue with almost every vested interest group floating their own RWAs. [In the duration of the last newsletter to this, we have personally received two new RWA listings that have prominent ruling party members as patrons.] RWAs must not try and create an alternate governance structure but demand more efficiency from the existing structure. To that extent, we find it strange that even advocates of local self goverment are forgetting that municipal councils and wards were designed to be the first level of local self governance! Merely because a system has got corrupted does not argue for yet another overlapping system, but perhaps a better coordinated effort at cleaning up the corrupt system.

RWAs in electoral domain: The debate sparked off first by Mr. Ramphal of Inderpuri followed by by Mr Narang of Rajendra Nagar has been discussed at length in many meetings between different RWAs and the consensus is that there needs to be an open mind on this issue. In continuation of the argument provided in the preceding para, it is worthwhile to evaluate this proposal as a means of challenging the stranglehold of traditional political parties and corrupt politicians on a system that was supposed to represent our concerns and reflect our wishes. It is this systemic corruption that must be fought – and there is enough merit in the argument that if a new cadre of honest candidates takeover, much of the problems we witness today will be taken care of. The point above of RWAs taking on the role of administration is answered through this issue: there is always the mechanism to intervene in the administrative process through elections to local bodies. Then again, some learned friends are unable to separate the issue properly. When we say RWAs in the electoral fray, it is not as if RWAs are fighting elections – they can’t – merely that conscious, responsible members of an RWA body are intending to do so in their independent capacity. This must be encouraged and celebrated so that better, cleaner candidates come up.

Abject failure of Councillors/MLAs: Led by RWAs who demanded that all councillors of Delhi submit resignations en masse for their failure to deliver any positive solutions the problems of Delhiites and for their involvement in the corruption in MCD, People’s Action has opened a debate on the entire issue. You are requested to kindly discuss this at your RWA level and take it forward at special meetings planned on this account.

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