Thursday, May 31, 2018

‘ SAVE OUR CITY’ CAMPAIGN Delhi’s Master Plan by DDA ... DELHI DERELICT AUTHORITY...

RWA’s - NGO’s - ACTIVIST’s ‘SAVE OUR CITY’ CAMPAIGN - Delhi’s Master Plan by DDA …… DELHI DERELICT AUTHORITY - This Petition will be Delivered to DDA on 09-06-2018 for Public Hearing

Dear Fellow Citizens,

We wish to inform you that the Proposed Amendments / Modifications in DDA’s Public Notice dated 26-05-2018 are the same as in their previous Public Notice of February 2018.

We expected that after Five Months of SC Hearings and umpteen oral and recorded Observations of the Hon’ble Judges, DDA will factor in the issues that have been flagged therein. They have not included in even those Points that they had promised in their Affidavit to the Hon’ble Court.

Dutifully DDA mentions the MC Mehta vs Union of India {WP(C) No.4677/1985} case, seemingly without reading the Judgment dated 16-02-2006. We reproduce a few extracts for you to decide whether DDA has understood a word of the stated purpose of the said Judgment.

“…….Keeping future needs in view, experts prepare Master Plans. A perusal of the Delhi Master Plan, 1962 and 2001 shows what were plan projections. At the time of planning, the experts in the field of town planning, take into account various aspects, such as healthy living, environment, lung space need, land use intensity, areas where the residential houses to be built and where the commercial buildings to be located, need of household industries etc. 

Provision for household industries in residential areas does not mean converting residential houses in the commercial shops. It only means permitting activities of household industry in a part of a residential property. It does not mean that residential properties can be used for commercial and trading activities and sale and purchase of goods. Master Plan contemplates shops in District Centres, Community Centres, Local Shopping Centres etc. and not in residential areas. Be that as it may, for the present, we are not considering the cases of small shops opened in residential houses for catering to day-to-day basic needs, but are considering large-scale conversion, in flagrant violation of laws, of residential premises for commercial use……”

“…..Now, we revert to the task of implementation. Despite its difficulty, this Court cannot remain a mute spectator when the violations also affect the environment and healthy living of law-abiders. The enormity of the problem which, to a great extent, is the doing of the authorities themselves, does not mean that a beginning should not be made to set things right. If the entire misuser cannot be stopped at one point in time because of its extensive nature, then it has to be stopped in a phased manner, beginning with major violators. There has to be a will to do it. 

We have hereinbefore noted in brief, the orders made in the last so many years but it seems, the same has had no effect on the authorities. The things cannot be permitted to go on in this manner forever. On one hand, various laws are enacted, master plans are prepared by expert planners, provision is made in the plans also to tackle the problem of existing unauthorised constructions and misusers and, on the other hand, such illegal activities go on unabated openly under the gaze of everyone, without having any respect and regard for law and other citizens…….”

MEANING MISUSE OF RESIDENTIAL SPACES will be phased out and prioritize as to which violations will be taken up first. 

DDA THROUGH ITS PUBLIC NOTICE IS DOING THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF WHAT SUPREME COURT EXPECTS AND IS TRYING TO LEGALISE MISUSE IN A PHASED MANNER…….

Moreover, THERE IS NOT A WORD MENTIONED ABOUT THE CRITICAL ISSUE OF ENVIRONMENT WHICH FORMS THE VERY SOUL OF MC MEHTA’S PETITION.

Guest Houses & Surrogate Business have long Hoodwinked the Master Plan. Likewise, Professional Firms of LAWYERS/CA’s/ARCHITECTS/DOCTORS etc in the guise of SELF EMPLOYED PROFESSIONALS are the new threat to RESIDENTIAL PEACE. 

The law was envisaged to allow Professionals to conduct vocation FROM THEIR RESIDENCE occupying no more than 30% space. There is no control over Timings or Parking Availability resulting in Neighbourhood Fights. 

ONLY PROFESSIONALS IN SELF OCCUPIED & ACQUIRED PROPERTY should be allowed with the restriction of Closing Time as in the case of RULES OF ALLOTMENT OF CHAMBERS IN HC/SC from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM and no more than 4-5 total employees/staff.

WE REQUEST CITIZENS TO SIGN UP IN LARGE NUMBERS to get our concerns addressed as we have little faith in DDA’s ability to protect the City or Resident’s Lives. In the previous haphazardly organized Public Hearing, DDA had invited all Stake Holders having divergent Objections and Interests together, thus creating the acrimonious environment, not conducive to a fair hearing.

Many participants had to face threats of physical violence, therefore we request the following:-

1. DDA should invite RWAs, Traders, Village Stakeholders etc on SEPARATE DAYS. RWAs do not wish to appear in ‘Open to All’ Public Hearing.

2. DDA has asked for complete details of petitioners..... Privacy of individuals must be ensured......

Last time they had placed complete details with home address/mobile/email on website leading to THREATS and TROLLING.

3. DDA must place EIA Report, Area Density, Availability of Resources and Infrastructure necessary for Healthy Living as per laid out norms in Sec-11A(1) of DDA Act, 1957. What was the fate of Suggestions placed by RWAs in February ??? Which of them were agreed upon ???

4. DDA must prepare and place in Public Domain, AREA WISE IMPACT STUDY to educate the residents so that they can make an informed intervention/choice. Most of the residents don't understand the consequences of these amendments. The advertisement is also placed in a manner that it has not got the desired attention of the public, it is like a regular tender notice of DDA.

5. Punitive Action should be taken against officials (Including Seniors) under whose watch the illegalities happened. The matter should be investigated on Basis of Ground Reality and not File Noting, as on paper all action is always recorded with Notices and Photographs.
Delhi has become a nonstop Urban Jungle in Seismic Zone IV with INTERMINGLING HABITAT & LIVELIHOOD and unplanned Rickety Structures. Everything that Ails Delhi Today is the result of flawed MPD-2021 ...... Smog, Crime, Parking, Traffic Jams, Untreated Sewage, Water Logging, Encroachments, Overloaded Hospitals & Public Transport, Lack of School & College Seats etc.
In conclusion, we wish to state, 

Commercial Activity of any kind in Residential Colony is a SECURITY NIGHTMARE, not to mention its impact on Environment. The Monitoring Committee in its wisdom has started sealing the Markets, IGNORING THE REAL MENACE, Commercial Establishments on City Streets.


On behalf of ‘SAVE OUR CITY’ Campaign
Joint Signatories:

1.  CHETNA (NGO), Anil Sood, 
2.  CONRWA, Chetan Sharma, 
3.  Delhi RWA’s Joint Front, Pankaj Agarwal, 
4.  Delhi Residents Forum, Varinder Arora, 
5.  Defence Colony, RWA, Maj. Ranjit Singh, President 
6.  Defence Colony, RWA, Gen. Sidhu, 
7.  Dwarka Forum, Rejimon, 
8.  East Delhi RWAs Joint Front, B.S. Vohra, 
9.  Friends of Rajouri Garden Environment, Sachin Sapra, 
10.  GK-1 RWA, Rajiv Kakria, 
11.  Ishwar Nagar RWA, Anant Trivedi, 
12.  Janakpuri RWA, Gulshan Rai, 
13.  Poster Hatao (NGO), Munirka Vihar, Col. Shivraj, 
14.  Rajinder Nagar RWA, D.M. Narang, 
15. United Residents of Delhi-URD, Saurabh Gandhi, Gen. Secy. 
the list will grow as we go along.......

MPD 2021 - Suggestons / Objections till 9th June 2018

Dear Friends,

The last date for filing your Suggestions or Objections on the proposed amendments in the MPD 2021 is 9th June 2018. Please rush your opinion & views on the proposed Master Plan of Delhi without fail. Please feel free to mail us a copy for uploading on this blog so that RWAs could know what you have written.




Our Email id is rwabhagidari@yahoo.in

Best regards,

B S Vohra
President,
East Delhi RWAs Joint Front - Federation
www.RWABhagidari.com

Monday, May 28, 2018

दिल्ली मे एलेक्ट्रिसिटी लोड का खेल?

आपके घर की लिफ्ट का sanctioned लोड, यकायक, 11 KW से कम हो कर 1 KW कैसे हो गया, समझ से बाहर है. पिछले  कितने सालों से उस लिफ्ट का लोड 11 KW था और आप 11 KW के हिसाब से फिक्स्ड चार्जस दे  रहे थे. अब अचानक वो 11 KW का लोड कम होकर सिर्फ़ 1 KW कैसे हो गया? कौन सा जादू चल गया या फिर कोई मिराकल हो गया, समझ से बाहर है कि 11 KW से चलने वाली लिफ्ट अचानक 1 KW से कैसे चलने लगी?



आपके घर की लिफ्ट का लोड 11 KW से 1 KW हो गया और इसके साथ साथ, आपके घर का लोड भी कम हो गया. किसी को 5 KW से कम करके 2 KW कर दिया और किसी का कुछ और. और कम भी कैसे हुआ कि वो लोग (DISCOMs), बुला बुला कर बता रहे हैं, कि भाई आपका लोड कम हो गया. 

सोने पे सुहागा, आपका लोड कम हुआ सो हुआ, 600 रुपये  के हिसाब से रिफंड भी आपके बिलों मे अड्जस्ट हो गया. कई लोग तो खुशी के मारे झूम उठे, क्योंकि जिंदगी मे पहली बार शायद उनका ज़ीरो बिल आया था.

ये खेल क्या चल रहा है, ये किसी की भी समझ से बाहर है पर हम DERC या फिर दिल्ली सरकार से इतना तो पूछ  ही सकते हैं कि लोगों को पहले बेवकूफ़ बनाया जा रहा था, या फिर अब बेवकूफ़ बनाया जा रहा है. 

अगर हमारी लिफ्ट का या हमारे घर का लोड कम था, तो पिछले इतने सालों से क्यों बड़े हुए KW पर फिक्स्ड चार्जस ले रहे थे?  क्यों बड़े हुए लोड पर बड़ी हुई SLDC चार्ज की जा रही थी? क्यों कन्स्यूमर्स को लूटा जा रहा था?  

और अगर हमारी लिफ्ट का या हमारे घर का लोड सही था, तो अब वो अचानक, यकायक से, कम कैसे हो गया? कहीं कोई खेल तो नही चल रहा, कि आज की तारीख मे लोड कम करके, लोगों के फिक्स्ड चार्जस को कम दिखलाकर, लोगों को 600 रुपये पर kW का रिफंड दिखा कर, खुश कर दो, या फिर बेवकूफ़ बना दो क्योंकि अगर कल की तारीख मे दोबारा से आपकी लिफ्ट 1 KW से चलनी बंद हो जाए और 11 KW से चलने लगे, या फिर आपके घर का लोड दोबारा से 2 KW से बद्कर 5 KW होने लगे, तो आपको ना केवल बड़ी हुई दरों पर सेक्यूरिटी डेपॉज़िट देना पड़ेगा, बल्कि SLDC चार्जस भी दोबारा से देने पड़ेंगे और फिक्स्ड चार्जस तो लगने ही हैं.

अब इसका जवाब तो सिर्फ़ DERC ही दे सकती है, या फिर दिल्ली सरकार.  DERC या फिर दिल्ली सरकार के पॉवेर मिनिस्टर को चाहिए कि एक प्रेस रिलीस के ज़रिए लोगों को बताए, कि जो लोड कम कर दिए गए हैं. वो अब कम ही रहेंगे, अगले सालों मे बड़ नही जाएँगे. आपकी लिफ्ट अब 1 KW पर ही चलती रहेगी, उसे दोबारा से 11 KW की ज़रूरत नही पड़ेगी. और आपके घर का लोड भी आने वाले  सालों मे बढ़ाया  नही जाएगा. ताकि लोग समझ सकें कि उनको बेवकूफ़ नही बनाया जा रहा, कि DERC और दिल्ली सरकार लोगों के हितों की रक्षा करने मे सक्षम है.

लेकिन एक ज़रूरी सवाल, ये जो DISCOMs हैं, पिछले कुछ सालों मे इनका जो भी इनफ्रास्ट्रक्चर डेवेलप हुआ, वो पुराने लोड के हिसाब से था, या फिर नए लोड के हिसाब से है. क्योंकि अगर वो नए लोड के हिसाब से था, तो उन्होने अपनी बुक्स मे खर्चे कैसे दिखाए? और अगर वो पुराने लोड के हिसाब से था, तो आज की तारीख मे उनके पास सर्प्लस इनफ्रास्ट्रक्चर है, जिससे दिल्ली मे कहीं भी ओवरलोड की शिकायत नही होने चाहिए, कहीं भी लाइट नही जानी चाहिए और इन DISCOMs को अपने इनफ्रास्ट्रक्चर पर पैसे खरचने की ज़रूरत भी नही है क्योंकि लोड तो कम हो चुका है.

DERC और दिल्ली सरकार से जवाब की प्रतीक्षा मे.

B S Vohra
President,
East Delhi RWAs Joint Front - Federation
rwabhagidari@yahoo.in

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

9 out of 10 people worldwide breathe polluted air But more countries are taking action: WHO

GENEVA – Air pollution levels remain dangerously high in many parts of the world. New data from the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that 9 out of 10 people breathe air containing high levels of pollutants. Updated estimations reveal an alarming death toll of 7 million people every year caused by ambient (outdoor) and household air pollution.

“Air pollution threatens us all, but the poorest and most marginalized people bear the brunt of the burden,” says Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO. “It is unacceptable that over 3 billion people – most of them women and children – are still breathing deadly smoke every day from using polluting stoves and fuels in their homes. If we don’t take urgent action on air pollution, we will never come close to achieving sustainable development.”

7 million deaths every year

WHO estimates that around 7 million people die every year from exposure to fine particles in the polluted air that penetrate deep into the lungs and cardiovascular system, causing diseases including stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and respiratory infections, including pneumonia.

Ambient air pollution alone caused some 4.2 million deaths in 2016, while household air pollution from cooking with polluting fuels and technologies caused an estimated 3.8 million deaths in the same period.
 

More than 90% of air pollution-related deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, mainly in Asia and Africa, followed by low- and middle-income countries of the Eastern Mediterranean region, Europe and the Americas.

Around 3 billion people – more than 40% of the world’s population – still do not have access to clean cooking fuels and technologies in their homes, the main source of household air pollution. WHO has been monitoring household air pollution for more than a decade and, while the rate of access to clean fuels and technologies is increasing everywhere, improvements are not even keeping pace with population growth in many parts of the world, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.

WHO recognizes that air pollution is a critical risk factor for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), causing an estimated one-quarter (24%) of all adult deaths from heart disease, 25% from stroke, 43% from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and 29% from lung cancer.

More countries taking action

More than 4300 cities in 108 countries are now included in WHO’s ambient air quality database, making this the world’s most comprehensive database on ambient air pollution. Since 2016, more than 1000 additional cities have been added to WHO’s database which shows that more countries are measuring and taking action to reduce air pollution than ever before.

The database collects annual mean concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5). PM2.5 includes pollutants, such as sulfate, nitrates and black carbon, which pose the greatest risks to human health. WHO air quality recommendations call for countries to reduce their air pollution to annual mean values of 20 μg/m3 (for PM10) and 10 μg/m3 (for PM25).

“Many of the world’s megacities exceed WHO’s guideline levels for air quality by more than 5 times, representing a major risk to people’s health,” says Dr Maria Neira, Director of the Department of Public Health, Social and Environmental Determinants of Health, at WHO. “We are seeing an acceleration of political interest in this global public health challenge. The increase in cities recording air pollution data reflects a commitment to air quality assessment and monitoring. Most of this increase has occurred in high-income countries, but we hope to see a similar scale-up of monitoring efforts worldwide.” 

While the latest data show ambient air pollution levels are still dangerously high in most parts of the world, they also show some positive progress. Countries are taking measures to tackle and reduce air pollution from particulate matter. For example, in just two years, India’s Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana Scheme has provided some 37 million women living below the poverty line with free LPG connections to support them to switch to clean household energy use. Mexico City has committed to cleaner vehicle standards, including a move to soot-free buses and a ban on private diesel cars by 2025.
 
Major sources of air pollution from particulate matter include the inefficient use of energy by households, industry, the agriculture and transport sectors, and coal-fired power plants. In some regions, sand and desert dust, waste burning and deforestation are additional sources of air pollution. Air quality can also be influenced by natural elements such as geographic, meteorological and seasonal factors.

Air pollution does not recognize borders. Improving air quality demands sustained and coordinated government action at all levels. Countries need to work together on solutions for sustainable transport, more efficient and renewable energy production and use and waste management. WHO works with many sectors including transport and energy, urban planning and rural development to support countries to tackle this problem.

Key findings:

  • WHO estimates that around 90% of people worldwide breathe polluted air. Over the past 6 years, ambient air pollution levels have remained high and approximatively stable, with declining concentrations in some part of Europe and in the Americas. 
  • The highest ambient air pollution levels are in the Eastern Mediterranean Region and in South-East Asia, with annual mean levels often exceeding more than 5 times WHO limits, followed by low and middle-income cities in Africa and the Western Pacific.
  • Africa and some of the Western Pacific have a serious lack of air pollution data. For Africa, the database now contains PM measurements for more than twice as many cities as previous versions, however, data was identified for only 8 of 47 countries in the region.
  • Europe has the highest number of places reporting data.
  • In general, ambient air pollution levels are lowest in high-income countries, particularly in Europe, the Americas and the Western Pacific.  In cities of high-income countries in Europe, air pollution has been shown to lower average life expectancy by anywhere between 2 and 24 months, depending on pollution levels. 
“Political leaders at all levels of government, including city mayors, are now starting to pay attention and take action,” adds Dr Tedros.  “The good news is that we are seeing more and more governments increasing commitments to monitor and reduce air pollution as well as more global action from the health sector and other sectors like transport, housing and energy.”

With Thanks: WHO

Wednesday, May 2, 2018

Congratulations to our Government, our Civic Agencies, all the multiple authorities for this great achievement

tagged again as the  City in the world. CONGRATULATIONS to our Government, our Civic Agencies, all the multiple authorities, for this great achievement.


tagged again as the city in the world. Thanks to the No Vehicular policy, burning mountains of Garbage, Traffic Jam & Encroachment all over. Delhi has done it again. CONGRATULATIONS!

tagged again as the city in the world. With just 30,000 deaths in Delhi NCR out of the 2.2 million in Southeast Asia, with a Risk factor of just 25% of all deaths due to Heart diseases, 24% of the Strokes & 29% of the Lung Cancer. Delhi has done it again. CONGRATULATIONS!

tagged again as the  city in the world. Any takers of the CREDIT for this great achievement? Delhiites are generous, highest Taxpayers, highest contributors to the GDP, living in a Highly Polluted City with the highest rate of Deaths. What else we are looking for?