RWABhagidari is the largest network of Resident Welfare Associations - RWAs of Delhi for raising various Social & Civic issues, concerning the general public, on different platforms. You can view more at : www.RWABhagidari.com / www.RWABhagidari.blogspot.com / For Free News Letter Subscription, please mail us at : rwabhagidari@yahoo.in :We don't vouch the views expressed by our visitors.
The recent advertisement of providing heaters to security guards of the colony by RWAs does not match the feasibility and availability of resources at the RWA level. It looks like the order is without any consultation with the RWAs, at least URJA as the apex body of RWA is not aware of any such discussion by EPCA.
Though, we are holding Delhi Clean Air Forum Zonal meetings which are very well to the knowledge of EPCA, DPCC, CPCB and many other such agencies that are working on GRAP.
It looks the order is passed keeping in mind the services of security guards that sits outside the gates of those who are instrumental in passing the order. This in no way matches the ground realities of the city.
The simple points raised are as follows:
RWAs don't have electric meters and connections in each lane of the colony to do so. Even if they want to work on the directive it will need an additional electric load of minimum 5kw to 10 kW power connections.
who will bear the cost of the equipment and electricity used?
A security Guard is meant to be on the beat and on rounds. He is not meant to be contained in the guard hut with heating equipment or seated around a bonfire. That would defeat the purpose of professional guarding In the past too, lack of proper winter wear and low wages for poor guards, has resulted in less than optimal functioning.
The security guard is an adjunct to policing as they take off a part of the workload from an already beleaguered police force suffering from the shortage of personnel.
It will be better if EPCA considers ordering:
1. That the RWA & Guarding Agencies employed by them provide proper guarding equipment such as batons, shoes, adequate jackets and gloves and other warm clothing to guards so that they can act as guards and do their rounds without being huddled next to a fire or heater.
2. Leaves and twigs that are accumulated in colony parks which are neither composted nor removed in time. An order to the Municipal corporations to provide shredders or do composting or carrying away of this material.
3. Provide assistance to the RWA by way of equipment & clear municipal orders and active participation of the horticulture staff.
RWAs are required to provide Heaters to the Chowkidars and the COMPLIANCE of the RWAs has been ordered. No doubt, it's our responsibility too, to check & curb the Pollution, though we have no power in our hand as none of the Governments have ever empowered us in any way. But the truth is that the real problem lies somewhere else: 1. There is no check on the rising number of vehicles in Delhi. Over a crore of vehicles already on the road, with Lakhs being added every year causing severe vehicular emissions, contributing significantly to the pollution in the city, as well as to the kitty of the Authorities. 2. There is massive encroachment everywhere on the Roads, that causes severe Traffic jams, again causing severe pollution all over the city. 3. Various Land Fill sites of Delhi always keep on smoking & catching fire due to methane gas inside, without any check & control from the concerned agencies. 4. Parali is burnt in Haryana & Punjab, contributing significantly to the pollution levels of Delhi, while Elected Leaders are unable to break the ice among themselves, even on this very serious issue. 5. The West Asian winds bring the Dust n Storm, causing severe pollution & Smog in Delhi, while the concerned authorities are not even able to clean the city properly. 6. WHO says that over 30,000 persons are killed every year in Delhi & NCR, due to the pollution or in our opinion, due to the non-action of the Authorities. 7. There is none to listen to the Chicago University Study, that says, that the residents of Delhi & NCR are losing up to 6 to 9 years of their life, just due to the pollution. 8. RWAs are not empowered to do anything, and those empowered, don't try to do anything. 9.RWAs don't have the funds and in most of the cases, RWAs are unable to collect the required money to pay to the Chowkidars, in the absence of any empowerment.
So in the present context, if your RWA has the funds, please follow the instructions of the concerned authorities. In the absence of the required Funds, the only other option RWAs have, is toremove all the Chowkidarsfrom their duties as it's the duty of the Government to provide us Security as well as the clean environment.
Thanks, & with best regards,
B S Vohra Environment Activist - with a request to all the RWAs of Delhi, to check any burning of Garbage, Leaves, Wood, Biomass, Coal etc. in their localities as well to provide your old warm clothes to those in need, to combat pollution. EPCA is doing a great Job after the implementation of GRAP and we must prove that we are also the responsible RWAs of this city, without any empowerment.
DPCC’s Bizarre Diktat ....... RWAs should provide Heaters for all the Guards on Night Duty Strange is the thinking and working of our Government Departments when it suits them they issue Bizarre Diktats to RWA’s ....... What Statutory Powers has Govt given to RWAs, that Govt agencies come up with such diktats ????? When it comes to giving Recognition to RWA’s, the Government is Evasive and Reluctant. RWA’s cannot mandatorily collect Membership Subscription or censure a Department for dereliction of Duty and so much is expected of them.
The idea was proposed by Mr. Bhurelal of EPCA, yes the same gentleman who proposed raising Parking Fees to Rs. 80/- per hour and the imposition of ODD/Even ...... Punishing Delhites for Pollution spread due to the Neighbouring States Burning Stubble and the Desert Storm in the Gulf.
In a recent proposal for Controlling Pollution, DPCC has issued a Public Notice for RWAs to provide Electric Heaters to Colony Guards. RWA’s are not heartless and have provided proper Winter Uniforms and made arrangements for making tea, so the Guards stay alert. The idea is impractical, both financially and logistically, as each Block or Colony employs 5 – 10 Guards.
The Question is, why RWA’s should take on the extra burden, as it is, they are doing their bit with meager resources. It is not the job of RWAs to provide security, it’s the Police that has to ensure Security. The Guards are allocated beats, are not stationary in one spot and supposed to be moving. Some guards are stationed at the gates, they too need to stay alert, the comfort of a heater will lull them into sleep and frequent gasht (beat) will be detrimental to their health.
If pollution is the Govts concern and is serious about it, then all the arms of Govt should perform their respective duties... THEN THERE SHALL BE NO NEED FOR SUCH SILLY PUBLIC NOTICES. And pray, who shall foot the Power Bills and who in DPCC would conduct Night Vigils to check small fires being lit by Labour at construction sites and the Homeless to stay warm ?????
Please refer to the Public Notice to the RWAs. (copy attached for ready reference).
The directions given to the RWAs to provide heaters to the Guards is not tenable. Who will provide the electric connection, heater, payment of bills and other logistics? RWAs cannot handle this.
There are separate Laws for burning the Garbage etc. Authorities must ensure their implementation.
It was a pleasure talking to you. As discussed during our telephonic conversation, Oxigen is keen in associating with RWAs of Delhi / NCR to introduce several solutions for Resident Welfare Associations through our flagship product i.e. Micro ATM machines.
Our micro ATM machines offer a gamut of services, which can be used to cater to the following needs of an RWA resident:
Maintenance Bill Payments
Society Bill Payments
Utility Bill Payments
Recharges
Money Transfer Needs
Wallet Loading
Cash Deposit/Withdrawal
*and much more
Through these services, we envision to strengthen the role of RWAs and make Society Offices a one stop solution for multiple payment needs of a resident.
Sharing a detailed presentation of our Micro ATM in the attachment to this mail. Please find the same
We eagerly look forward to your response and for an opportunity to discuss this product in greater detail with you.
Thanks and Regards
Atul Krishnan
Assistant Manager- Business Development
RWAs: If you have any interest in the MICRO ATM for your Societies, please feel free to mail us & it will be forwarded to the concerned Oxigen Team. Our Email id is rwabhagidari@yahoo.in
An estimated 1 in 10 medical products circulating in low- and middle-income countries is either substandard or falsified, according to new research from the World Health Organization (WHO).
This means that people are taking medicines that fail to treat or prevent disease. Not only is this a waste of money for individuals and health systems that purchase these products, but substandard or falsified medical products can cause serious illness or even death.
“Substandard and falsified medicines particularly affect the most vulnerable communities,” says Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Imagine a mother who gives up food or other basic needs to pay for her child’s treatment, unaware that the medicines are substandard or falsified, and then that treatment causes her child to die. This is unacceptable. Countries have agreed on measures at the global level – it is time to translate them into tangible action.”
Please refer the news published in various newspapers, a few days ago:Delhi has an installed capacity for the supply of 903 million gallons a day, and while there are no definitive figures for water loss during transmission and distribution, it is estimated to be a bit over 45%.The CM sees this as a major concern in the water situation. After taking over as chairman of DJB in September, Kejriwal realized to his shock that a massive amount of water was lost due to leakage, theft and other reasons.
Sir, Since last many years, we are regularly shouting over the issue but shockingly no one ever cared to look into it seriously. Thanks for accepting that a massive amount of potable water, is going directly into the drains by way of leakages & into the pockets of many, by way of thefts.
This is truly a very serious issue as out of the installed capacity of DJB, almost 50% of potable water is wasted and it results in the massive shortage of water during summers.
Water Audit is a very good concept and by using Flow Meters, we will be able to understand that in reality how much water is being wasted. But the cause of very serious concern is that, how this water can be saved from leakages as well as thefts.
Sir, as you have come to know about this very serious issue, do you have any plans to develop some mechanism to save this Life Saving potable drinking water, as it will help in serving the masses with sufficient quantity of water during summers? Sir, Even DJB slogan says very clearly - SAVE WATER SAVE LIFE! Can we meet you in this regard?
With best regards,
B S Vohra
President, East Delhi RWAs Joint Front - Federation
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GIVE DELHI FULL STATEHOOD - CONVERT LUTYENS INTO VATICAN CITY for the HIGH PRIESTS...... leave the rest for us LESSOR MORTALS.
Dear Friends,
You are all aware that the battle for Delhi Statehood is in the final stages in the Supreme Court. The Elected Govt. of Delhi has stated that barring Police, Land and Law all other decisions should be in the hands of the Elected Government of Delhi.
It was with great difficulty Delhi got its elected Vidhan Sabha. Those days there were just two MAIN Parties BJP and Congress and they both wanted full statehood for Delhi.
I think it was Narasimha Rao under whom the Law was passed and had cheekily inserted a Clause ensuring the Centre could have a toehold on the door if need be. In the old times of YOU SCRATCH MY BACK, I SCRATCH YOUR BACK type of politics the system worked barring a few hiccups.
NOW WITH a third party (AAP) and the DAYS OF VINDICTIVE POLITICS, the CHEEKY CLAUSE is being used to good effect ....... making LG the defacto Head and the Final Authority. Needless to say, Delhi has suffered as LG cannot be as accountable to Citizens as an Elected Govt. WHY HAVE AN ELECTED GOVT ???
TRAGEDY is that the very party which wanted Full Statehood for Delhi is now at the Centre and is opposing Full Statehood in the Supreme Court.
Both sides are placing all the Legal arguments and the difficulties in Administration before the Court. THE REAL PROBLEMS THAT DELHI FACES DUE TO LACK OF FULL STATEHOOD HAVE NOT EVEN BEEN TALKED ABOUT ......
LET ME TAKE THEM UP POINTWISE ......
1. LAND & DDA - Every citizen knows that DDA is the reason for 80% of the city's problems. The land being a central subject all the Unauthorized Colonies and Encroachment of Public Land under the custody of DDA led to unplanned Growth and Development.
2. MPD-2021 - DDA under Urban Development Ministry has been entrusted with the framing of the Bye-Laws and deciding the DWELLING DENSITY of the city. Today Delhi is bursting at the seams and the Pea Brained Idea of Mixed Land Use has destroyed the Social Fabric of peaceful Residential Areas that have become Security & Fire Hazards.
3. DDA Housing - today DDA is unable to sell Flats that it calls Homes because they are unlivable.
4. DDA Industrial & Commercial Areas - are devoid of infrastructure, industries do not wish to relocate (Bawana, Narela etc) and the commercial hubs (Nehru Place, Bhikaji Cama Place etc) are dark dingy decaying seedy joints.
5. DDA Land Parcels - if not already encroached are sold out for Malls & Multiplexes (Alaknanda Reliance Mall) while citizens are crying for Play Grounds for Children or recreation facility or other Public Utilities like Bus Depot etc.
6. POLICE- Rape Capital, Snatching, Car Thefts, Road Rage, Gang Wars ...... these are just a few things that form News Headlines ........ with 70% of the Force protecting the HIGH PRIESTS OF LUTYENS, there is little left to secure Delhi.
7. TRAFFIC POLICE - All it does is to devise ways to Extort ....... there is no such thing as Traffic Management. Without understanding the ground reality impractical speed limits are enforced and all they do is stand in few select places issuing challans and impounding Licenses or extracting heavy bribes. There are no solutions to the traffic snarls.
8. EDUCATION - Delhi University being a Central University students from all over India come making it impossible for students from Delhi to get admission. DDA also does not give Land to Schools and Colleges.
9. HEALTH- Fortis / Apollo / Max having obtained concessional land, are indulging in DEH VYAPAR (Dealing in Bodies). Elected Govt will be Accountable for handling Malpractices of Private institutions. Same with Private Schools.
10. METRO - when it comes to Lutyens Delhi, DMRC is very careful about Noise Pollution, Aesthetics, Security etc and goes Underground. When it comes to other areas it goes elevated without a concern for people living in the vicinity, citing Cost considerations.
11. MULTIPLICITY OF AUTHORITY - Since all laws have to be passed by Urban Development (or Destruction) Ministry ....... nothing changes in DELHI.
THE LIST IS ENDLESS, I HAVE FLAGGED JUST A FEW OF THE PROBLEMS DELHI FACES IN THE ABSENCE OF FULL STATEHOOD.
I have a suggestion ......... GIVE DELHI FULL STATEHOOD - CONVERT LUTYENS INTO VATICAN CITY for the HIGH PRIESTS...... leave the rest for us LESSOR MORTALS.
Let them have their own Special Police Force, they have enough Land and then some to spare, anyway, they have their own NDMC taking care of their Municipal Services and Power ........ with a minimum of tinkering to the Statehood Clause and adding a Clause for a VATICAN CITY OR SHOULD WE CALL THE NEW CITY...... VANDE MATRAM GRAM ........ Problem Solved. THEY WILL BE OUT OF OUR HAIR and us out of theirs ....... THINK !!!
All of us have seen the worst few days of Smog & Pollution in Delhi. The levels of PM 10, as well as PM 2.5, were many times more than the prescribed norms. These PM 10, as well as PM 2.5, are very harmful to everyone, especially the Children & Elderly persons. The Director of AIIMS has stated a few days ago, that almost 25000 - 30000 persons are killed every year, by the effects of Pollutants, in Delhi & NCR, though its an estimate as it is the silent killer. The Chicago University has mentioned in one of its studies, that the residents of Delhi & NCR are losing up to 6 - 9 years of their life due to pollution. Keeping in mind the above facts, a company is now offering an Outdoor Air Purifying Equipment at very nominal cost. In case you don't want to pay anything, you can get it Absolutely Free, i.e. at No Cost to you, as in that case, it will carry an Advertisement of the Sponsoring company. The overall dimensions are height 4.5 Ft & Dia 3 Ft only. In fact, once the cost is recovered, you will start even making a small earning out of it, without investing anything. The Electricity consumption is very little and you have to keep the Equipment at any crowded place, in any market location, at any religious place, hospital, community center etc, for the benefit of the visitors as well as to cover the Advertisement costs. If interested,please Email us with your complete contact details, mobile number, as well the Address of the desired location for the feasibility analysis and it will be forwarded to the manufacturers of the equipment for further action. RWAs/MTAs/NGOs may plan for such equipment for their localities/markets for making the GREEN ZONE for the benefit of residents/visitors. For more details, please email us at rwabhagidari@yahoo.in
Moody's Upgrades India Rating After 13 Years, Betting On PM Modi's Reforms, Markets Up
Moody's Investors Service raised India's sovereign rating for the first time since 2004, overlooking a haze of short-term economic uncertainties to bet on the nation's prospects from a raft of policy changes by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The rupee, bonds and stocks rallied after the ratings firm upgraded India to Baa2 from Baa3 and said reforms being pushed through by PM Modi's government will help stabilize rising levels of debt. That's a one-level shift from the lowest investment-grade ranking and puts India in line with the Philippines and Italy.
"This is an overdue correction," PM Modi's Chief Economic Adviser Arvind Subramanian told Bloomberg Quint, referring to the upgrade. "This is a recognition of India's macro economic reforms. But it has also to be kept in mind that these are external factors. And the government will pursue its own reform agenda. And those will drive our economic development."
Some investors termed it a surprise given that India recently surrendered its status as the world's fastest-growing major economy amid sweeping policy change. The upgrade could prove to be a big win for ruling party BJP, which has faced increasing attacks about the economic slowdown before key elections in PM Modi's home state Gujarat next month.
"This is a positive surprise to the markets, especially in terms of timing," said Vivek Rajpal, a rates strategist at Nomura Holdings Inc. in Singapore. "One fear that was developing in the market was debt-flow positioning."
The rupee surged as much as 1 percent to 64.67 per dollar in Mumbai while the yield on the 10-year sovereign bond tumbled 11 basis points to 6.96 percent and the benchmark equity index rose 1.25 percent. Markets have welcomed the move, with the Sensex rising over 400 points on Friday morning at 33,520 and the Nifty gaining 120 points.
Ease of Business
PM Modi has pushed through sweeping reforms, with mixed results. Last year's removal from circulation of almost 90 percent of the nation's currency weighed on growth. Expansion in gross domestic product slipped below 6 percent in the April-June quarter, sparking expectations that the government will need to announce a fiscal stimulus package to boost activity.
Other measures -- such as efforts to cut red tape and the imposition of a new consumption tax -- have met with mixed success. The government won praise from ratings firms for a $32 billion program to recapitalize banks that economists say will revive lending and stoke demand on the ground.
The World Bank has acknowledged it's getting easier to do business in India, with Asia's third-largest economy jumping 30 places to rank 100th in the latest ranking released last month. Earlier this week, Pew Research Center said PM Modi remained a popular leader and public confidence in the economy and the overall direction had improved.
Debt Burden
Moody's cited the goods and services tax, which it said will promote productivity by removing barriers to interstate trade, improvements to the monetary policy framework, measures to clean up non-performing loans, and efforts to bring more areas into the formal economy.
"While India's high debt burden remains a constraint on the country's credit profile, Moody's believes that the reforms put in place have reduced the risk of a sharp increase in debt, even in potential downside scenarios," according to the firm's release.
With Thanks: NDTV: LINK for Detailed news report. Must view.
Pollution is a major killer & till date, we have mostly focused on the outdoor pollutants that come from Vehicular traffic, power plants, construction debris, etc., in the form of Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM), i.e. PM 1, PM2.5, PM10, Benzene, Carbon Monoxide (CO), Sulpher Dioxide (SO2), Ozone (O3), Heavy metals (Lead & Mercury), as well Volatile organic compounds (VOC), etc.
But today, we will talk about the Enemy inside your house, i.e. the indoor pollutants in your home, which are also the serious cause of concern, as they too are the silent killers. These indoor pollutants include the Volatile organic compoundsthat come from your wall paints, as well the bio-aerosols, Nitrous oxides from the cooking gas in your kitchen, and so on. Please watch the Indoor Air Quality & Indoor Pollution video embedded below, that shows 5 areas of concern.
The above Air Advice for homes, clearly shows the status of various danger levels, inside your home, i.e. Danger level 5 - Carbon Monoxide, low level causes mild health effects such as Headaches, Dizziness, Disorientation, Nausea, Fatigue, while high level can be Fatal; Danger level 4 - Microbial Growth, i.e. Microorganisms, Mold, Fungal spores, causes Allergies, Sinus & Respiratory infections as well as Infertility; Danger level 3 - Allergens & Particulates, i.e. Dust, Pollen, Pet dander, Insect debris & Smoke, causes Nose & Throat irritation, Congestion, Sneezing, Coughing & Asthma; Danger level 2 - Infectious illness, i.e. Bacteria, Viruses, Germs, Cold, Flu, Airborne illnesses & Microorganisms; Danger level 1 - Contaminants, Toxic compounds, Building material, Furniture, Carpets, Paints, Cleaning chemicals, and so on, along with other pollutants as above, may be the cause of serious health hazards such as Cancer, Asthma, as well a Stroke. The risk of indoor pollution has increased manifolds due to the massive use of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), in the buildings, painting of walls, as well varnishes used inside. Please view the video embedded below to understand, what are theVolatile Organic Compounds.
Various opinions on the Indoor pollution : 1A. If you check the World Health Organization (WHO) Key facts on the indoor pollution, you will be shocked, as it says that over People die every year from the exposure to indoor & household air pollution. # More than 50% of premature deaths due to pneumonia among children under 5 are caused by the particulate matter inhaled from household air pollution. # 3.8 million premature deaths annually from noncommunicable diseases including stroke, ischaemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer are attributed to exposure to household air pollution.
1B. In yet another study, World Health Organisation (WHO) said, # Ambient and household air pollution caused, respectively, 2.8 & 3.7 million NCD deaths from ischaemic heart disease (IHD), stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer in 2012. # Globally, 29% of COPD deaths are attributed to household air pollution, 8% ambient and 11% workplaces. # Reducing air pollution from transport, energy generation, and industrial emissions; and exposures to ionizing and UV radiation, and chemicals, such as solvents, pesticides, asbestos, and formaldehyde, can prevent lung and other cancers. Workers in certain occupations are at particular risk. 2. United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said, “Organic chemicals are widely used as ingredients in household products. Paints, varnishes, and wax all contain organic solvents, as do many cleaning, disinfecting, cosmetic, degreasing and hobby products.Fuels are made up of organic chemicals. All of these products can release organic compounds while you are using them, and, to some degree, when they are stored”.
3. Tina Porwal, in her Abstract, “Paint Pollution Harmful Effects on Environment”, has said, that “Paint generally include pigment (the color), carried by a resin and/or binder, a solvent to help the paint application, and a dryer. In vinyl and acrylic paints they will also include plastics compounds. Some will include formaldehyde, arsenic, thinners, and foam makers”.
She continues,"Every year we like to paint our home, furniture, etc., for decoration, protection, identification, sanitation. But we forget the impact of paint on our environment. This can cause some serious hazardous effect on our body like headaches, trigger allergies, asthmatic reactions, irritate skin, eyes, and put increased stress on vital organs such as heart and not only paints but also its byproducts or by which paint creates are also more dangerous to us and our environment".
Please note, University of Chicago, in its recent report, has mentioned that "National Capital Region residents are losing out on almost 6 years of life because of the dangerous air pollution levels. If WHO standards were met in NCR, people would live 9 years longer. In Kolkata and Mumbai better air quality would translate into almost 3.5 years longer life spans". The report says,"4.6 billion life years would be added in the country by complying with WHO standards". Hindustan Times Delhi covered this news very significantly:
With thanks to various sources, named in the blog post above. B S Vohra
