AMENDMENTS TO MCD GUIDELINES FOR INSTALLATION OF GATES FOR SECURITY PURPOSE IN COLONIES

Dear Sir,

 

The Priyadarshini Vihar RWA and several other RWAs have raised the issue of 'Empowerment of RWAs' several times in the past.  Nothing has happened so far.  A related issue is the faulty guidelines of the MCD for installation of gates for security purpose in the colonies.  These guidelines were laid down by the MCD in June 2007 (on the direction of the Hon'ble Delhi High Court), without consulting the RWAs or the housing societies which are directly affected by these guidelines, and should have been consulted in the first place.  

 

As victims of these faulty guidelines, we suggest following amendments and request the Joint Front to take up the matter with the Commissioner, EDMC on behalf of its members RWAs, who, I am sure will agree with us:

 

1.    Clause 3.d) -  There is a total ban on erecting gates on back lanes which do not open towards roads outside  the colony.  Most of the crimes including thefts and burglaries are perpetrated through these lanes only.         Hence, security gates would be allowed on back lanes also.

 

2.    Clause 3.m) -  RWAs have been given the responsibility of appointing watch and ward staff at their own cost.  In practice, such arrangements are made by residents of the individual lanes by collecting funds. RWAs have not been vested with any authority to force the residents to make contribution for watch and ward arrangements.  There are several families in our colony who do not pay.  So, this authority needs to be coupled with authority.  Timings of closing ad opening of gates should also be flexible in accordance with seasons and other factors.

 

3.    Clause 3. p), q) and r) -  Onerous mandatory responsibilities have been  put on RWAs which need to be  reconsidered.  They should dovetail with ground realities.

 

Above suggestions are only illustrative and not exhaustive.  As a matter of fact, it requires a lot of brain storming by RWAs and functionaries of EDMC to arrive at practicable guidelines meet both the security concerns of colonies and administrative concerns of EDMC. 

 

Other RWAs are welcome to make suggestions / comments.

 

Sincerely,

 

Ram Gupta

General Secretary

Priyadarshini Vihar RWA