We want justice !

Mobile Tower Radiation ?????

Mobile Tower Radiation : Plz view our regular updates. Thanks to MIDDAY. B S Vohra

in shame, being resident of capital !

every day we find ourselves in shame, being resident of capital of all bad things, starting from local crimes to molestations, rapes of minor to adult females including gang rapes in all parts of delhi. Whom to blame?our politicians or the society? there is total chaos, it seems that we are heading for civil unrest and that will decide the future of this country, I appeal to the so called democratic system of our country to stand beyound all party and caste barriers to save our nation, for which so many freedom fightors laid their lives. 

CA  Devesh Upadhyay

RWA draws flak for security lapses

NEW DELHI: The Madhuban Colony, where seven masked men barged into the house of former director of prosecutions (NCT) on Thursday and smothered his son to death, is said to be a safe colony in east Delhi. After rising incidents of petty crimes, the residents requested the RWA to increase security in the area. But despite repeated requests, no action has been taken so far. 

A tenant living at the 250-family colony claims that it is easy to gain access to this "gated'' colony. "The four-gated colony is manned by three guards during daytime, and five at night. But just one guard can be seen in the entire block after 10pm. Most often, he is spotted noting down car registration numbers at the main gate, said the tenant, adding that it is easy to gain access to the DDA park, adjacent to the B block where the incident took place. 

A retired IG-level officer's family told TOI how the local RWA had charged Rs 2,000 a month for five guards, but only one would be visible at night. When TOI visited the RWA office, it declined to comment. "We will not be speaking to anyone on the incident as it is a sensitive issue,'' one of the office bearers said. 

According to local police, all attempts to secure the colony have been stone-walled. "We had asked for CCTV cameras to be put up at strategic locations. But none of them have been placed so far. We also asked the guards to be verified, along with masons, vendors and labourers who work in the area,'' said an officer. 

The locals, however, want police to play a more proactive role. Two assailants had opened fire at a constable at the Preet Vihar crossing on Wednesday night and another robbery took place in the neighbouring Ram Vihar area. "Lax policing adds to the crimes in the area,'' said Mukesh Singh, a local resident. 

with thanks : Times of India : LINK

Hindustan Times : Power issue : 26.4.13

Plz don't let it become a Rape capital !

Punish the Guilty !

Dildar Vs. Dagdaar ?

Woes of Anand Vihar in water front !

 In response to your clarion call in your esteemed newspaper under ‘Saving a mega city’ relating to DJB’s matters, I give the following comments for your consideration and highlighting them in your columns with the fond hope and aspiration that they will receive due attention of the authorities concerned for remedial expeditious action:-

Ø  Demolition of OHT: At the instance and approval of the then Govt.agencies and at the cost of the Anand Vihar Society (over Rs.6 lakhs) a huge ‘overhead tank’ was constructed in 1977 for storage and supply of ground water upto 1984 and with the supply of Ganga water in ’84 to the entire colony and surrounding areas, the OHT became redundant. The Society had been pleading time and again with all the authorities concerned to demolish it and construct a ‘underground water reservoir (UGR) at the same place for supply of water. Cracks had developed in OHT and may endanger the lives and properties of all residents around in Anand Vihar but no visible action has been taken so far by DJB – perhaps awaiting an (un)expected and sudden calamity to take place which will hit the ‘headlines’!

Ø  Unauthorized occupation: The DJB had unauthorizedly occupied the land surrounding the OHT which belongs to the Society, as its cost on land and development including for construction of the OHT, was borne by the Society. They are reluctant to leave it which could be profitably utilized for many useful  and beneficial purposes of the residents, whose number is increasing manifold day by day!

Ø  Replacement of water pipe lines: The entire water-pipe lines were laid when the colony came up over three decades back and the existing pipelines then laid have outlived their prescribed lives and are wearing out supplying rusted water through the pipelines endangering the lives of the people! Taking into consideration all factors, the DJB assured to replace the pipelines in phases in the entire colony about two years back but still a beginning has to be made! With the ‘plotted’ colony becoming ‘flatted’ colony and consequent increase in population and consumption of water by residents the DJB had also been requested to widen the gauge of the pipelines when being replaced! No response. Perhaps yet an another calamity awaited!

Ø  Cleaning of sewerage lines: With the increase in population in the colony and consequent increase of flow of sewerage, the DJB had been requested to increase the gauge of the sewer lines, pending that use a mechanical device to clean up the entire line in the colony. No action taken.

Ø  Water harvesting: As a measure of ‘water harvesting’ the Society had requested the MCD to puncture the concrete base of the storm water drainage line so that waste water will not accumulate but will seep into earth. But alas no action taken while they are propagating/appealing to citizens of Delhi to take adequate measures for ‘water harvesting’ where this simple method could save a lot of water, presently stagnating over the base of the covered drains and thus becoming a fertile breeding ground for mosquitoes and spreading ‘malaria’ etc.

Ø  Billing system: In short it could be said: ‘atrocious’ as the entire billing system is totally disastrous and the meters readers and billing clerks are playing ‘havoc’ with the entire process sending unimaginable astounding amount of bills for payment and all are forced to go to DJB’s office to get them rectified! Have you ever heard of such a callous machinery functioning anywhere!

T K Balu

Anand Vihar

A shame for all of us !

Plz give a title to it !

Civic issues of Vasundhara Enclave

There are partly covered, partly open drains in front of our apartments [Doctors Apts] in Vasundhara Enclave, running along many other apts in this area. Besides the public, even the MCD sweepers sweep all leaves, poly bags & rubbish into the drains and as a result there is lot of stagnat water & dirt. Can cleaning of these drains be done as a first step,and close the drains fully to avoid similar situation again. It is also extremely risky to walk at nights on the foot paths because of these openings - Can it be attended please.

Thanks,

Dr VASANTA BHARATULA

Area MLA Dr A K Walia discussed problems of P D Vihar

Our area MLA and Minister of Health, Govt of NCT of Delhi, Dr A. K. Walia was invited by the RWA to take a round of Priyadarshini Vihar  and discuss various problems faced by the residents.  The meeting was organized 08:30 am on Saturday, 13th April 2013.  About 50 residents and staff of civil agencies and DP attended the meeting. Problems raised by residents.  A letter listing the problems which included coked sewers; overflowing and stinking rain water drains; non-function submersible pumps in parks; menace of stray dogs in the colony; damaged and broken lane with heavy outside traffic including buses and trucks, and poor police security arrangement, etc; was handed over to the Minister (copy attached for information).

 

Mr Fazal Khan, Asst. Engineer, EDMC stated that tender had been already done for relaying of lane between H.No.B-206 and B-242 and Dr Walia launched the project by breaking coconut. 

 

Ram Gupta, General Secretry, RWA thanked the residents, the govt staff and Dr Walia and hoped that the promises made the staff would be fulfilled by timely attending to the problems.  Some photos attached.

 

Ram Gupta

General Secretary

Priyadarshini Vihar RWA 

PMO forms panel to report on groundwater levels in Delhi

NEW DELHI: The city's falling groundwater levels have finally caused some alarm in the government. A committee has been set up under directions of the Prime Minister's office, headed by the chairman of the Central Ground Water Authority, to submit a report on Delhi's rainwater harvesting (RWH) and groundwater status to the ministry of water resources in three months.

At a meeting held at the LG office recently, Delhi Jal Board and the environment department came together to formulate a strategy to properly implement RWH and ensure better funds for RWH in Delhi. DJB has almost finalized two agencies that will work as a one-window stop for applicants looking to get RWH done on their premises. The pilot project will start with south and southwest districts which have the worst groundwater levels. "In each district, 100 built-up areas of 2,000 sq m or more will be taken up for RWH. Work will include identifying such places, promoting RWH, providing technical design, getting necessary approvals and getting approval for government schemes under which the projects can be financed," said sources. Work is expected to start next month.

According to the expression of interest, applicants should have teams of sufficiently qualified technical, administrative and field staff for proper implementation of the programme. They also needed to have experience of conducting at least 10 programmes on creating awareness on rainwater harvesting and conservation of water during the last seven years, out of which five are to be in Delhi.

DJB will also increase the amount of grant provided for RWH. "The Rs 1 lakh we give may be inadequate and we will increase that amount. Now, 100% grant is available for RWH under the 'My Delhi, I Care' scheme which has also set aside Rs 5 crore for each district for RWH harvesting and other issues. An additional Rs 1 crore each year will be allotted for RWH to four districts where groundwater levels are critical. These are south, southwest, west and northwest," said Debashree Mukherjee, CEO, DJB.

DJB has begun giving 10% rebate in water bills to those who have adopted RWH. Mukherjee said monitoring will be strengthened to ensure RWH is done by those for whom it is mandatory, which are plots with a built-up area of 200 sq m or more. "A penalty may be imposed on those not having RWH but that will be monitored by the environment department," said sources.

with thanks : Times of India : LINK

Happy Baisakhi

Thanks for the Compliments !

Dear Mr. Vohra,

I have all the appreciation for the cause you have undertaken and your devotion is mind blowing.  This Platform is a a boon for the RWAs and people should come forward in disposing of their various grievances.  

Please continue the efforts, God bless you. 

With regards  

R K Nanda , 

Shalimar Bagh, 

Delhi. 110088 

MEGA DELHI RWA

We have regular requests from a large number of persons for launching of an RWA that could cover entire Delhi. We are pleased to announce the launching of MEGA DELHI RWA for entire Delhi. Those willing to join may please send us a mail with complete contact details for the Membership form. Our mail id is : rwabhagidari@yahoo.in

Thanks & Regards

B S Vohra

RWAs : Plz feel free to mail us pics of your activities

Dear RWAs,

Please feel free to mail us pics of your activities alongwith Press release for uploading on our RWABhagidari blog. We will try our best to upload your content for sharing with  rest of the RWA subscribers from Delhi / NCR for the wider coverage.

With best regards

B S Vohra

rwabhagidari@yahoo.in  

www.RWABhagidari.blogspot.in

www.RWABhagidari.com              

Compliments from friends

Dear Sh. Vohra,

As usual, you are doing good things. Congrats.

Thanks and regards,

Ashok K bhatnagar

Dear Bhatnagar saab,

Thanks for your mail. As usual, you are always a source of inspiration for others.

Best regards,

B S Vohra

Must read :

  पंचायत का निर्णय :  एक बेहद उम्दा कहानी

एक बार एक हंस और हंसिनी हरिद्वार के सुरम्य वातावरण से भटकते हुए उजड़े, वीरान और रेगिस्तान के इलाके में आ गये ! हंसिनी ने हंस को कहा कि ये किस उजड़े इलाके में आ गये हैं ? यहाँ न तो जल है, न जंगल और न ही ठंडी हवाएं हैं ! यहाँ तो हमारा जीना मुश्किल हो जायेगा ! भटकते २ शाम हो गयी तो हंस ने हंसिनी से कहा कि किसी तरह आज कि रात बिता लो, सुबह हम लोग हरिद्वार लौट चलेंगे ! रात हुई तो जिस पेड़ के नीचे हंस और हंसिनी रुके थे उस पर एक उल्लू बैठा था। वह जोर २ से चिल्लाने लगा। हंसिनी ने हंस से कहा, अरे यहाँ तो रात में सो भी नहीं सकते। ये उल्लू चिल्ला रहा है। हंस ने फिर हंसिनी को समझाया कि किसी तरह रात काट लो, मुझे अब समझ में आ गया है कि ये इलाका वीरान क्यूँ है ? ऐसे उल्लू जिस इलाके में रहेंगे वो तो वीरान और उजड़ा रहेगा ही। पेड़ पर बैठा उल्लू दोनों कि बात सुन रहा था। सुबह हुई, उल्लू नीचे आया और उसने कहा कि हंस भाई मेरी वजह से आपको रात में तकलीफ हुई, मुझे माफ़ कर दो। हंस ने कहा, कोई बात नही भैया, आपका धन्यवाद ! यह कहकर जैसे ही हंस अपनी हंसिनी को लेकर आगे बढ़ा, पीछे से उल्लू चिल्लाया, अरे हंस मेरी पत्नी को लेकर कहाँ जा रहे हो। हंस चौंका, उसने कहा, आपकी पत्नी? अरे भाई, यह हंसिनी है, मेरी पत्नी है, मेरे साथ आई थी, मेरे साथ जा रही है ! उल्लू ने कहा, खामोश रहो, ये मेरी पत्नी है। दोनों के बीच विवाद बढ़ गया। पूरे इलाके के लोग इक्कठा हो गये। कई गावों की जनता बैठी। पंचायत बुलाई गयी। पंच लोग भी आ गये ! बोले, भाई किस बात का विवाद है ? लोगों ने बताया कि उल्लू कह रहा है कि हंसिनी उसकी पत्नी है और हंस कह रहा है कि हंसिनी उसकी पत्नी है ! लम्बी बैठक और पंचायत के बाद पञ्च लोग किनारे हो गये और कहा कि भाई बात तो यह सही है कि हंसिनी हंस की ही पत्नी है, लेकिन ये हंस और हंसिनी तो अभी थोड़ी देर में इस गाँव से चले जायेंगे। हमारे बीच में तो उल्लू को ही रहना है। इसलिए फैसला उल्लू के ही हक़ में ही सुनाना है ! फिर पंचों ने अपना फैसला सुनाया और कहा कि सारे तथ्यों और सबूतों कि जांच करने के बाद यह पंचायत इस नतीजे पर पहुंची है कि हंसिनी उल्लू की पत्नी है और हंस को तत्काल गाँव छोड़ने का हुक्म दिया जाता है ! यह सुनते ही हंस हैरान हो गया और रोने, चीखने और चिल्लाने लगा कि पंचायत ने गलत फैसला सुनाया। उल्लू ने मेरी पत्नी ले ली ! रोते- चीखते जब वहआगे बढ़ने लगा तो उल्लू ने आवाज लगाई - ऐ मित्र हंस, रुको ! हंस ने रोते हुए कहा कि भैया, अब क्या करोगे ? पत्नी तो तुमने ले ही ली, अब जान भी लोगे ? उल्लू ने कहा, नहीं मित्र, ये हंसिनी आपकी पत्नी थी, है और रहेगी ! लेकिन कल रात जब मैं चिल्ला रहा था तो आपने अपनी पत्नी से कहा था कि यह इलाका उजड़ा और वीरान इसलिए है क्योंकि यहाँ उल्लू रहता है ! मित्र, ये इलाका उजड़ा और वीरान इसलिए नहीं है कि यहाँ उल्लू रहता है । यह इलाका उजड़ा और वीरान इसलिए है क्योंकि यहाँ पर ऐसे पञ्च रहते हैं जो उल्लुओं के हक़ में फैसला सुनाते हैं ! शायद ६५ साल कि आजादी के बाद भी हमारे देश की दुर्दशा का मूल कारण यही है कि हमने हमेशा अपना फैसला उल्लुओं के ही पक्ष में सुनाया है। इस देश क़ी बदहाली और दुर्दशा के लिए कहीं न कहीं हम भी जिम्मेदार हैं। thanks : watwani ji

Proposed hike in Power Tariff

Is it a futile attempt on the part of Govt.to force the Delhi people to leave Delhi, when all other resolutions failed? How long the sword will continue to hang on the head of Delhi people by increasing prices of Electric, Water, PNG , Petrol, Diesel and LPG etc apart from the price hike in Daily consumables? Govt. should consider the view point and withdraw the service tax applied so heavily on the consumables.

R K Nanda 

Vice President RWA CC Block, Shalimar Bagh, Delhi. 110088 

Hindustan Times : B S Vohra

Hindustan Times : B S Vohra : it's a serious issue & we must come forward so that the basic requirements of masses could be met. 

आप घर के अन्य सदस्यों से मिलकर तय कर लें कि भीतर किसे निमंत्रित करना है

एक दिन एक औरत अपने घर के बाहर आई
और उसने तीन संतों को अपने घर के सामने
देखा। वह उन्हें जानती नहीं थी। औरत ने
कहा – “कृपया भीतर आइये और भोजन
करिए।”
संत बोले – “क्या तुम्हारे पति घर पर हैं?”
औरत ने कहा – “नहीं, वे अभी बाहर गए
हैं।”
संत बोले – “हम तभी भीतर आयेंगे जब वह
घर पर हों।”
शाम को उस औरत कापति घर आया और
औरत ने उसे यह सबबताया।
औरत के पति ने कहा – “जाओ और उनसे
कहो कि मैं घर आ गया हूँ और उनको आदर
सहित बुलाओ।”
औरत बाहर गई और उनको भीतर आने के
लिए कहा।
संत बोले – “हम सबकिसी भी घर में एक
साथ नहीं जाते।”
“पर क्यों?” – औरत ने पूछा।
उनमें से एक संत ने कहा – “मेरा नाम धन
है” – फ़िर दूसरे संतों की ओर इशारा कर के
कहा – “इन दोनों के नाम सफलता और
प्रेम हैं। हममें से कोई एक ही भीतर आ
सकता है। आप घर के अन्य सदस्यों से
मिलकर तय कर लें कि भीतर किसे
निमंत्रित करना है।”
औरत ने भीतर जाकर अपने पति को यह सब
बताया। उसका पति बहुत प्रसन्न
हो गया और बोला – “यदि ऐसा है तो हमें
धन को आमंत्रित करना चाहिए।
हमारा घर खुशियों से भर जाएगा।”
लेकिन उसकी पत्नी ने कहा – “मुझे
लगता है कि हमें सफलता को आमंत्रित
करना चाहिए।”
उनकी बेटी दूसरे कमरे से यह सब सुन
रही थी। वह उनके पास आई और बोली –
“मुझे लगता है कि हमें प्रेम को आमंत्रित
करना चाहिए। प्रेम से बढ़कर कुछ
भी नहीं हैं।”
“तुम ठीक कहती हो, हमें प्रेम
को ही बुलाना चाहिए” – उसके माता-
पिता ने कहा।
औरत घर के बाहर गई और उसने संतों से
पूछा – “आप में से जिनका नाम प्रेम है वे
कृपया घर में प्रवेश कर भोजन गृहण करें।”
प्रेम घर की ओर बढ़ चले। बाकी के दो संत
भी उनके पीछे चलने लगे।
औरत ने आश्चर्य से उन दोनों से पूछा – “मैंने
तो सिर्फ़ प्रेम को आमंत्रित किया था।
आप लोग भीतर क्यों जा रहे हैं?”
उनमें से एक ने कहा – “यदि आपने धन और
सफलता में से किसी एक को आमंत्रित
किया होता तो केवल वही भीतर जाता।
आपने प्रेम को आमंत्रित किया है। प्रेम
कभी अकेला नहीं जाता। प्रेम जहाँ-
जहाँ जाता है, धन और सफलता उसके पीछे
जाते हैं।

Cell Tower radiation - Indian Express

Proposed Power Tariff hike in Delhi

Blood Donation Camp : Pics

Blood Donation Camp

Mosquitos in storage tanks of AASTHA KUNJ

Respected Sir,

Mosquito is a most dangerous & troublesome problem if we see its collective effects on the majority of population.I tried to solve it since 1996.Till 1996 I used to see for breeding of mosquito only in desert coolers &over head tanks.IN 1996 sep-nov some 10,000 people of delhi suffered from dengue ,400 died & thousands received platelet transfusion.In nov 1996 when after the finish of dangerous  spell of dengue fever when the mosquito problem was still there though all desert coolers were dry I started to search the drains of the hospital in which I was posted &with in minutes I found a corner of drain with lacks of larvae of mosquitoes .I KILLED THEM ALL WITH DIESEL.But my search did not end here .I kept on searching more & more places & got good & surprising results.I discussed the problem with malaria dept ,public ,mcd senior officials DHOs MHOs, deputy commissioners.No one except workersa of malaria department had ever seen breeding in any other place then desert coolers or over headtanks.No one knew what the malaria workers are actually doing.I complained to malaria department about breeding in a drain in front of my house & went to my duty place .When I returned I found that no antilarval oil sprayed on the site of breeding in drain but my house was fogged.I shouted at them as to why no anti larval oil sprayed .One of the workers told a very surprising statement .Sir ,if there will be no mosquito ,what we will do?Picture became clear to me that it is waste of time to think of getting work done by the malaria workers.But since it breeds only in stagnant water & all larvae die if diesel is sprayed  & it takes 4 days for the larvae to become adult in water .So if every 4^th day diesel is sprayed on all breeding sites ,no adult mosquito will come out of water  & adults mosquito will finish.And if there is no mosquito ,there can be no breeding even if there is stagnant water as it needs mosquito to lay eggs.

With this knowledge ,I am trying my best to show breeding to people with the aim to finish mosquito once for ever .For this awareness of public is necessary that mosquito can be eradicated if they just look some places which can hold water & if there is breeding in it ,to put diesel or get the water evacuated without depending on the workers of malaria department.

In this regard I examined the water storage tanks of AASTHA KUNJ  a big park developed by DDA Near kalkamandir & Bhaitemple.The large tank 20ftx40ft is having enormous breeding since December 2012.It is easily identifiable by just peeping in the tank.Millions or billions mosquitoes are breeding & flying t near by areas of Nehru place ,kalkaji ,santnagar east of kailash ,kailash hill etc.Idonot want that any body should be punished ,rather I wish that every person of DDA  should go & see the larvae so that they are aware that they have to look for breeding where ever they go.It is very easy to finish breeding by just evacuating the tank for one day in a month or put some two liters of diesel in it.

Now it is upto you as to what action your good self take but I request that I should be apprised of it

With due regards

Dr VK Aggarwal

A-7 EAST OF KAILASH NEW DELHI 110065

8800164455

Some points out of the CAG Report on working of Delhi Govt. :

DJB :

The CAG says that the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), responsible for the territory's water supply, has added only 1 MGD (million gallons per day) capacity of sewerage treatment plants, while laying about 900 km of sewer line during 2007-12 with an expenditure of Rs 1,634.18 crore.

 

“The DJB had not prepared any perspective plan for sewage management for XIth five year plan, and could collect and treat only 367 MGD (54%) out of 680 MGD of sewage generated in Delhi,” the report said.

 

Furthermore, there was a lack of equitable distribution of drinking water within the NCT, the CAG said, “due to lack of reliable data on population and water supplied to different areas,” and the absence of comprehensive metering of water meant that “less than 40% of water produced was billed during last three years.”

 

"The drinking water was not being distributed equitably amongst the population due to lack of reliable data on population and water supplied to different areas," it said

 

HOSPITALS :

In New Delhi’s hospitals, “emergency departments were not providing required services due to lack of essential equipment, medicines and adequate staff,” the report said, adding that “all the test checked hospitals were lacking in facility for purified and clean drinking water.”

 

In GTB, 31 medicines were not available for a month last year while in Rao Tula Ram Memorial hospital, patients complained that they had to purchase medicines from outside.

At Ambedkar hospital, the CAG found that 47 essential drugs were not available on many occasions during a period between 2009 and 2012.

More curiously, the CAG said that the 1000-bed Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital and LN (Lok Nayak) Hospital, “have been using ambulances, mainly for miscellaneous purposes instead of for the patients”, apart from the fact that these vehicles did not have “essential equipment for basic life support system”.

 

"The OPD services were affected due to shortage of medical equipment, medicines, injections, infrastructure and medical support items. The Emergency Departments were not providing required services due to lack of essential equipment, medicines and adequate staff," it said.

In a glaring shortcomings, it was found that five hospitals did not have blood banks while the license for blood bank was not renewed in GTB hospital.

Underlining issues at the Directorate of Health Services, the CAG reported that no construction work has started at the land sites for 10 hospitals, ranging in capacity between 60-700, that were allocated between 1997 and 2008.

 

DELHI POLICE :

“Most of the funds earmarked for modernisation of Communication Branch of Delhi Police were not utilized,” the CAG said, “and as such, the modernisation of communication network in Delhi Police was not achieved.”

“Physical implementation of Intelligent Traffic System could not be started as of March 2012 due to deficient planning, thereby, depriving users of benefit of world class traffic system in Delhi,” it added.

 

TAX REVENUE :

While the tax revenues of the state increased by 21% to Rs 3,494 crore, the report pointed out short payment of value added tax ( VAT ) amounting over Rs 2,321 crore.

CAG has blamed imprudent decision making of the Delhi government in not getting the insurance cover on the basis of current valuation of assets by Indraprastha Power Generation Company Limited, resulting in a loss of Rs 2.33 crore due to under insurance.

The non-tax revenue, which constituted 2.06% of total revenue receipts during 2011-12 decreased by 89% to Rs 3,728 crore over previous year, it added.

Besides, the report also mentioned that about 39% of the audited cable operators in the city failed to pay taxes for the past three years. Moreover, the state department of finance was unable to recover entertainment tax Rs 1.26 crore from 12 cinema hall owners and luxury tax amounting to Rs  9.76 crore from the hoteliers.

 

TRANSPORT :

The auditor has criticized the department of transport for implementing the cluster bus scheme, “without a well laid out plan and concurrence of the Finance Department or Legislature.” The scheme involved corporatisation of private stage carriage buses.

 

DELHI TRANSCO :

The CAG also slammed Delhi Transco Ltd, a Delhi government company in-charge of major power transmission lines, for not being able to recover an amount of Rs 754.83 crore as transmission charge from BSES Rajdhani Power Ltd and BSES Yamuna Power Ltd.

 

OTHERS :

On implementation of projects under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission, the auditor said the city Government could not utilise Rs 196.88 crore out of total grant of Rs 2823.18 crore.

"Construction of 44,720 Dwelling Units had to be dropped due to non-availability of hindrance free sites. Only 85 out of completed 10,684 DUs could be allotted to the beneficiaries," it said.

The auditor said delay in taking decisions by the Government escalated the cost of construction of Signature bridge on river Yamuna by Rs 672 crore.

more points will be uploaded soon.

Thanks 

 

B S Vohra

New Rajendra Nagar body still does it the old way

NEW DELHI: With most residents' welfare associations ( RWAs) now behaving like quasi-authorities, there is one that remains cast in the old mould. The RWA in R-block, New Rajendra Nagar believes that civic agencies—not tax-payers—should be made accountable for services. It collects a nominal annual membership of Rs 100 from residents but tries to get them all essential services by building pressure on the civic agencies concerned. 

"All we collect from a household is the annual membership fee. The RWA is not there to collect maintenance charges—that is the job of civic utilities. Our job is to ensure they do theirs. Residents already pay for basic services through taxes, and water and power bills, so why should anyone pay more?'' said D M Narang, general secretary of the association. 

The RWA takes its task quite seriously. "Household trash is collected by auto tippers every morning. There is also a dhalao nearby where garbage is collected routinely. The 33 parks in the locality are maintained by the municipal corporation or individuals," said Narang, adding, "we try to get the work done by civic agencies on behalf of the residents. A large part of DJB's bill is sewer charges, so whenever there is a sewer related problem, we ensure DJB does the work". 

The RWA gets the area discom, which maintains streetlights on behalf of the corporation, to keep them in order. For security, households pool in to hire guards for their lane while the RWA takes up problems with the local police. 

Recently, the RWA has moved a proposal to increase the annual membership from Rs 100 to Rs 500. "There are approximately 1,100 houses in R-block. We do not pressure anyone to pay the membership fee, people pay willingly,'' said Narang.

with thanks : Times of India : LINK

For Bhandaris, it was a matter of principle

NEW DELHI: When the Bhandaris, O P and Aruna, of Munirka Enclave were dragged to court in 2006, they did not foresee becoming the face of a judgment that would bring the working of most residents' welfare associations (RWAs) in the city under the scanner. The couple took a stand to not pay their RWA for services provided by civic agencies. A local court's recent judgment in their favour will have ramifications for not only Munirka Enclave but also other RWAs across the city. 

The Bhandaris' legal battle started in 2006 when the then RWA president, H C Saroha, filed a case in court. O P Bhandari, 72, says he refused to pay the RWA its Rs 200 maintenance charge as its services were "just artificially created". In 1990, when Bhandari shifted to Munirka Enclave, the charge was Rs 50; it has since increased to Rs 500 per month. 

"I completely agree that there should be a body that looks after colonies," says Bhandari, a former employee of India Tourism Development Corporation. "It should look after common areas like staircases and shafts. But no such services are being provided". 

He says the RWAs have no business charging for services like garbage collection, maintenance of parks, repair of drains etc as these jobs are done by the MCD. "RWAs have become bodies that collect funds from residents and waste them on unnecessary things. They have harassed us many times in between." 

But the RWA denies these allegations. Its office bearers say they charge for services not provided by the civic agencies. They are contemplating contesting the court's verdict. "We have lost the case on some technical points but we do plan to contest it," said a senior functionary of the RWA on condition of anonymity. 

"The Bhandaris do not pay for the colony's security that's not provided by DDA or MCD. Also, municipal workers are not always there for cleaning and maintenance," he added. 

Saroha, the complainant, says the RWA funds ensure proper cleaning of the common areas. "The civic agencies look after roads and horticulture, but common areas like chutes, quarters for labourers, chowkidars etc are taken care of by the RWA. And the Bhandaris do not pay for these services," he said.

with thanks : Times of India : LINK