Role of RWAs in Civic Governance During Lockdown

When the Number of Positive cases was not even in Three Digits, the most severe Lockdown in the world was imposed at Four Hour Notice. Now, when the Numbers are Sky Rocketing, restrictions are being lifted in a haphazard manner, with scant understanding of Ground Reality.

IS IT RWAs OVER REACH OR VITAL LINK IN MAINTAING ORDER & SERVICES DURING LOCKDOWN...... No Order of the Government and various Courts or Media Report is without the mention of RWAs Role in Civic Governance or espousing Public Cause.

It is pertinent to mention that at no stage through the past 45 days have RWA’s been consulted, yet RWA’s took it upon themselves to restrict movement, raise funds to supply rations to stranded migrants, coordinated to distribute food packets, took care of Senior Citizens, ensured security to residents, fed stray Animals & Birds etc.

This morning RWA Groups were abuzz with a Delhi Govt. Memo seeking to restrain RWA’s so called Over Reach in staling Movement of ALL AND SUNDRY in their respective areas. RWA’s were very effective in containing the spread of the deadly Virus, it was due to their Proactive stance of Closing the Gates and Restricting Movement when Lockdown was announced, at times braving the resistance of colony Residents. In hindsight it was a decision that has kept Delhi safe from becoming a Disaster Zone.

The Government has not put in Public Domain the exact Numbers or Location of Covid Patients. Low rate of Testing and Reports taking more than 48 hours, by then suspected persons may have contaminated countless others, making the task of tracking suspected cases impossible, given the Govts ability in maintaining Social Distancing that was evident in the aftermath of opening of Liquor Vends.

Sure...... RWAs can sit at home and the Govt can start all activities, BUT FIRST ANSWER THE FOLLOWING.....

1. Govt should issue a White Paper on what preparations were made before Lockdown was announced with 4 hour notice

2. Issue a white Paper on the current status of exact number and location of Covid-19 Patients and from where they originated.

3. Give RWA representatives along with Media a tour of any 10 Quarantine Centres and 5 Covid Hospitals to ascertain exact status of treatment facilities and how patients are kept

5. Issue White Paper on provision of exact number of patients that Delhi is in a position to handle, with physical visit NOT ON PAPER OR PRESS CONFERENCE

6. White paper on exact number of PPE Kits, Testing Kits etc available

7. Give Sworn Affidavit that every test report will be made available within 24 hours and not after 10 days as presently being done

8. Issue white paper on turnaround time and facilities for citizens for consultation, testing, self quarantine assistance, post quarantine sanitization

9. White paper on staff strength such as sanitizing where repeated report found not sufficient when cases were few. 

10. Ensure co-ordination with neighbouring states as Police, DJB, MCD, DTC staffs from Delhi stopped at border, therefore all essential services Staffs in NCT Delhi must be domicile Delhi residents after appointment.

There is a stark lack of understanding of Delhi's makeup as it stands today, by the powers that be, both the Center and State Govts are unaware that more than 60% of shops in Delhi are in Residential areas due to Mixed Land Use. The Malls & Shopping Complex closed will have no impact as mixed land use shops & offices are on every road, colony, village & unauthorised colony, throwing Lockdown to the winds and return to chaos.

Everything has been opened but there is zero economic activity as migrants want to go home. There is no transport, means not many can go to work. Moreover 33% attendance means 100% salary outflow.... 33% output.... ONLY GOVTS CAN THINK LIKE THAT.

GIVE RWAs THE CONFIDENCE THAT GOVT CAN HANDLE THE SITUATION..... we have seen Govt Efficiency on all above fronts, including the handling of Liquor Vends & Sabzi Mandis.

Will the DM & DCP etc ensure Social Distancing norms...... RWAs can throw open all gates, can Police ensure security...... There are many desperate, hungry and jobless people may resort to crime...... To date there have been miniscule cases where RWA’s are effective, RESPONSIBILITY NOW SHIFTS TO GOVT, GO AHEAD TAKE CHARGE...... RWA’s are willing to sit at home.

S/d

On behalf of ‘SAVE OUR CITY’ Campaign