Councillors reject wards' public panel

To promote greater public participation in the decision-making process of the MCD, in March this year, the then mayor PR Sawhney had announced that the civic agency will set up a resident wards committee (RWC) in each of the 272 wards of the city. Through these committees, resident welfare associations (RWAs) will be able to have a say in the policies being made by the councillors.

However, when the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) held a meeting on Tuesday with municipal councillors, most of them rejected the idea saying it will lead to more problems.

Headed by present mayor Rajni Abbi, the meeting was attended by about 30-odd councillors. They said that each ward has a dozen RWAs and if the scheme is implemented, each RWA will demand work only in their area and there will be disputes between them.

Sawhney's idea was that the RWC will be constituted by involving a representative from each RWA within a ward and will be chaired by the ward municipal councillor.

with thanks : hindustan times : link above for detailed news.

www.RWABhagidari.blogspot.com     www.RWABhagidari.com

RWC - more details

with thanks : Navbharat Times

Submitted by : Sh. D K Gupta ji

RWAs to have role in new MCD Act

New Act To Dump Redundant Sections

Ambika Pandit TNN

New Delhi: The Congress may be struggling to arrive at a compromise formula over splitting the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. But retired IAS officer K Dharmarajan and his team of experts charged with the responsibility of drafting a new legislation to replace the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act 1957 has already got down to the task of preparing a policy paper that will outline the contours of the new Bill.

    Besides weeding out large chunks of redundant provisions, the process seeks to create a local body framework that will involve greater participation of people through resident welfare associations (RWAs) and the voluntary sector. The committee wants to be ready with the draft legislation within three months. It will then be sent to the Delhi government. The Centre needs to approve the new legislation as the existing Act is a central legislation.

    In 2002, another report prepared by Dharmarajan became the basis of the property tax reform and led to a shift to the present unit area method of taxation.

    The DMC Act committee discussed the existing Act and the framework for the new legislation in its meeting on Friday. The first thing on its plate is the large chunks of the DMC Act which have no relevance to the MCD’s functioning any more. For instance, water, electricity, land use, the Delhi fire service and the slum wing, which were once municipal functions, are no longer under the jurisdiction of the corporation.

    The members feel that the new Act should simplify civic administration which is likely to be split into five even if the wards stay at 272. People’s participation is considered critical to make local-self government a reality. Thus, RWAs and NGOs may get a crucial role in the ward committees. The existing structure of ward committees is almost redundant and these committees are likely to great a strong role.

    The members are also trying to consolidate the civic administration as a body that will focus on socio-economic change. With MCD allocating funds for social benefits to the underprivileged like old age, widow pension, grants for marriage of daughters of widows, discussions are on to bring these functions under one umbrella for better management.

    The state government roped in Dharmarajan in February to assist the first political committee constituted to prepare a report on restructuring of MCD. Its report recommended a five-way split for the MCD. The Delhi cabinet cleared the report in principle. But some Congress MLAs and most councillors are opposed to it. 

 

with thanks : Times of India : link in headline above for detailed version.

Dikshit asks MCD to clear the air on RWC's ' political leanings'

with thanks : Hindustan Times : link above.

Extension of date for filing of RWC Committee Applications

RWC Logo

Delhi Mayor Prithvi Raj Sawhney yesterday unveiled the logo and a dedicated website for the recently launched scheme for resident ward committees - www.rwc-mc.org

Mayor unveils logo, website for resident ward committee

New Delhi, Mar 29 (PTI) Delhi Mayor Prithvi Raj Sawhney today unveiled the logo and a dedicated website for the recently launched scheme for resident ward committees, which will work as consultative bodies for local-level development. The corporation had announced the scheme for formation of RWCs earlier this month and said it will boost public participation in civic decision-making. As per the scheme, the RWCs will comprise one representative from each registered residents welfare association within a municipal ward, apart from the area junior engineer (works), sanitary inspector and section officer (horticulture). The councillors will chair the committees. The new website - www.rwc-mc.org - will have all details about the scheme and RWAs can download application forms, rules and regulations. The MCD has already issued a public notice for commencement of the scheme and said the RWAs can send a letter of nomination along with application for registration to the Chief Coordinator of RWC Management Cell under the Mayor's office. The forms must be submitted by April 15, it said. The website will also be managed by the RWC Cell. The Mayor said the link of the website will soon be made available on the MCD's site. Sawhney said the logo of RWC - made in a honeycomb pattern with a base line 'Citizens Make a City' - represents dialogue, interaction and engagement, and signifies coming together of the people towards a purpose. He said the logo was a reflection of the importance that the MCD gives to involvement of citizens in building of a city. The United Residents Joint Action (URJA), the RWA wing of NGO People's Action, has been asked to assist the Mayor's Office in execution of the scheme. Sawhney said though most of the councillors involve RWAs while deciding on development works in their areas, the new panels will "institutionalise" this system. The panels, which will meet once a month, will give suggestions on development plans and help prioritise their needs. The Mayor said the move will aid the councillors in conducting area development work in a smooth way. Leader of MCD House Subhash Arya said RWCs will act as a bridge among people, elected representatives and corporation.He had earlier said RWCs will be empowered to give suggestions on various works in the area costing up to Rs 30 lakh. Members of RWAs present at the launch felt the scheme can be beneficial. "RWAs and councillors can definitely bring a change through this scheme if they want," said Rupak Vaish, resident of GK-I and URJA representative, while New Rajinder Nagar RWA general secretary D M Narang felt it is an initiative on the lines of "bhagidari", which will benefit all.

with thanks : IBNlive : link above for detailed news.

RWC formation - But why a contradiction - Clarification sought :

To,

RWC Secretariat under the Mayor’s Office, 
Municipal Corporation of Delhi, 
Town Hall,  
Delhi.

Regarding : RWC formation

Dear Sir,

While appreciating your efforts in the formation of the RWC, we have to seek a few clarifications as below :

1. The Rules say that :

1. The RWC will be constituted by nomination of one member each from each Registered RWA within the ward.
2. There will be no limit to number of RWAs so represented as long as they are registered for the formation of the RWC.

But the Application Form says that :

Two RWAs from the same colony will not be accepted. In such cases both RWAs may propose a suitable consensus candidate for nomination to the RWC.

2. The Rules say that :

1. Only RWAs that have been registered  OR  in operation for at least two years are eligible.

But the Application Form says that :

We are a registered society in operation for longer than two years*. Kindly register the name of our Association/Society in the formation of Residents Ward Committee [RWC] of our Municipal Ward with the RWC Secretariat under the Mayor’s Office, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Town Hall, Delhi.
 
 While seeking the clarifications on these two points from your office, may we request you to give us time for meeting with you in this regard. Members of our "East Delhi RWAs Joint Front", have a lot of expectations from you.

With best regards,

B S Vohra
President
East Delhi RWAs Joint Front
F-19/10, Krishna Nagar, Delhi - 110051

www.RWABhagidari.blogspot.com
www.RWABhagidari.com

rwabhagidari@yahoo.co.in

 

Application to be submitted for RWC registration .....

Resident Ward Committee

An initiative under the Mayor’s Office, Municipal Corporation of Delhi in collaboration

with People’s Action and United Residents Joint Action [URJA] of Delhi

APPLICATION FORM 1A

For registration of RWA & Nomination of member to the Residents Ward Committee (RWC)

To                                                                                                            Date:……………………………

The Chief Coordinator

RWC Management Cell  

Mayor’s Office

Municipal Corporation of Delhi

Town Hall, Chandni Chowk, Delhi-100006

Tel: +91-11-23937924

Email: mail@rwc-mc.org

Website: www.rwc-mc.org

Dear Sirs

We are a registered society in operation for longer than two years*. Kindly register the name of our Association/Society in the formation of Residents Ward Committee [RWC] of our Municipal Ward with the RWC Secretariat under the Mayor’s Office, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Town Hall, Delhi.

[Name of Ward]……………………………………………………………….. [Number]………………………..

> Application Form 1B on 2^nd page of this document marked [b]: Please fill in CAPITAL LETTERS.

[a] Annexures:

[  ] * Photocopy of the Registration certificate is attached. [please tick, if attached]

Note:

1. In the event that the RWA is an unregistered body but in operation for more than two years from this date, and which can be verified, please mention the same here along with evidence.
2. Please note that disputes will not be entertained in the matter of nominations to the RWC which must be settled independently within and by the RWA concerned. As a mater of procedure, the signatures of the President and Secretary will be considered adequate to accept the nomination.
3. Two RWAs from the same colony will not be accepted. In such cases both RWAs may propose a suitable consensus candidate for nomination to the RWC.
4. A copy of the Rules & Regulations may be procured from the RWC MC in the Mayor’s office, or downloaded from www.rwc-mc.org 
5. For more information, clarifications or assistance, please contact Atul Goyal on 9868148896, Wing Commander Chadda on 9312626900 or Ashutosh Dikshit on 9811048864

APPLICATION FORM 1B

[b] Particulars of the Association/Society

[Please fill all particulars in capitals]

Name of Association/Society:……………………………………………………………………………………….

Registration No………………………………………………………….Dated:…………………………………….

Mailing Address:………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………PIN:……………………….

Contact Number: Landline:………………………………………Mobile:………………………………………….

Email:……………………………………………………………………………………..

Name of President:………………………………………………………………………                

Name of Secretary:………………………………………………………………………

[c] Name of the Nominee to the RWC on behalf of the Association/Society:

Mr/Ms………………………………………………………… ………………………….

Residential Address…………………………………………………………………………………………………..

……………………………………………………………………………………………PIN…………………………

Mobile:…………………………………………Email:……………………………………………………………….

[d] Validation:

Signature of the President: …………………………………………………………………….

Signature of the Secretary: ……………………………………………………………………..

Seal of the Association/Society: ……………………………………………………………….

People’s Action

Campaign Office: 24, Feroze Gandhi Road, Lajpat Nagar-III, New Delhi-110 024

Tel: 91-11-29833118   Fax: 91-11-29831976

Gurgaon: C-1927, Sushant Lok-1, Gurgaon 122 002 Tel: 95124-4046905

Email: peoplesaction@vsnl.net

Rules & Regulations governing the formation and operation of the

Resident Ward Committee [RWC].

1. The Resident Ward Committee [RWC] will be set up to reflect the spirit of the 74^th Amendment of the Constitution of India in the context of local self government and devolution of powers.
2. The RWC will embody tenets of empowerment of local bodies, inducing transparency enhancing efficiency in the functioning of the Municipality.
3. The RWC will act as a consultative committee and work in cooperation with the local elected Councillor for the development of the Ward as a whole in the spirit of public participation.
4. The RWC will be constituted by nomination of one member each from each Registered RWA within the ward.
5. There will be no limit to number of RWAs so represented as long as they are registered for the formation of the RWC.
6. There will be a limit of only one nominated person from each RWA.
7. Only RWAs that have been registered or in operation for at least two years are eligible,
8. Nominated member will be selected after a resolution nominating the said member to represent the RWA on the RWC.
9. The tenure of the Nominated member will be for one year ending each year on March 31^st until a new member or a re-nomination is enacted by the RWA through a similar process. Two consecutive terms will not be permitted.
10. The RWC will be registered with the MCD as the official consultative group from the ward and will receive a Registration Number reflecting its official status from the Mayor’s office.
11. The RWC will meet at least once every month on any date designated by agreement and directed by Convenor of the RWC
12. The Councillor will be the Chairman of the Committee.
13. The Committee will select a Convenor by consensus.
14. The Convenor will schedule meetings, draw up agenda, maintain minutes and exercise conduct of the meetings. The minutes recorded shall go to the Mayor’s Secretariat, Chairman Standing Committee of the ward and the Zonal Deputy Commissioner for action.
15. The expenses of all such meetings will be borne by the Councillor through his/her office and expended through the Convenor or any such person that the Convenor authorizes.
16. Refreshments costs of the meeting will not exceed Rs. 20 per member of the RWC.
17. The meeting will be held at any convenient location within the ward where all members of the RWC can sit in a roundtable format only. [No other seating arrangement is permissible]
18. No other person apart from authorised members of the RWC may attend the meeting. The Councillor will be allowed one secretarial aide/support staff. Any decisions that need to be communicated to the media may be done only after the meeting at a press briefing.
19. Junior Engineer (maintenance) / Sanitary Inspector may be nominated as nodal representatives of the ward by MCD. They may be present in the meetings.
20. The Chairman/Councillor will act on recommendations made by the RWC and an assessment of accomplished targets will be taken at every subsequent meeting and either carried over or deleted from subsequent agenda points.
21. RWC will deal with ‘collective objectives’ of the ward on priority. Specific issues of RWAs will only be taken on record at RWC meetings, for individual resolutions outside of the purview of the RWC and done in normal course.
22. The RWC will end its official tenure after one year each year on March 31^st
23. The end of the tenure of each RWC will be marked with an AGM where members of all RWAs will be invited to attend a public meeting.
24. At the AGM the Councillor/Convenor will read out the Annual Report of actions performed, initiatives taken targets met or unmet or rolled over.
25. The Mayor’s Office will monitor the performance of the RWC based on frequency of filed agenda minutes, number of meetings, presence of Councillor in meetings, jobs allocated, targets met and AGM’s held and informal as well as formal feedback.
26. RWCs will be evaluated by a panel of eminent persons for best performance by a local body and awards at an annual gathering will be given to deserving RWCs every year.