Tuesday, August 27, 2019
Tuesday, August 20, 2019
RWA Bhagidari Blog is now amongst the Top 50 Social Work Blogs WorldWide on the FeedSpot
We are pleased to inform that our RWA Bhagidari Blog has been added in the FeedSpot List of the Top 50 Social Work Blogs worldwide. This RWA Bhagidari blog was launched on the 25th of November 2009 and merely after 3 more months, it will complete 10 years while serving the RWA community. We will soon start sharing the sweet memories of these 10 years on the Blog.
Launch of this blog was followed by the Launch of our RWA Bhagidari Website as well as the East Delhi RWAs Joint Front - Federation, which is now, mostly, the Talk of the Town, on various civic issues, concerning the residents. The very recent achievement of our Network was the Roll Back of the Fixed Charges of Electricity for which we had fought a battle with Delhi Government for 16 months.
Thanks to all of you for the support.
Best regards,
B S Vohra
www.RWABhagidari.com
www.RWABhagidari.blogspot.com
Thanks to all of you for the support.
Best regards,
B S Vohra
www.RWABhagidari.com
www.RWABhagidari.blogspot.com
Tuesday, August 6, 2019
RWAs - Install A Happy Fridge, to feed the poor !
The Happy Fridge is a community fridge installed by responsible individuals or residential welfare associations to donate nutritious food to the needy. Happy Fridges are installed in the residential complexes, markets, RWAs, etc. and is able to serve 1,500 - 2,000 meals a month. This is an effective way to ensure that no one in our community ever sleeps hungry and food waste is also minimized.
There are always some food items in your home that go to waste every day. Similarly, in your locality, many families face the same issue of food wastage. Now we are giving you a better option. Just put those waste food items in the Community Fridge at your RWA office & ask those who may require it to pick any time to feed the hunger. In such a way, the waste food items of your home may become the required items for the poor. Just apply for a Free Community Fridge, for your RWA office now.
If selected, you may get: Free of cost fridge, Free of cost fridge service and repair, Food safety training to residents, pamphlets to spread awareness in society, Publicise activity on social media.
Citizens signing up for the Happy fridge should have Location, Electricity Point, Arrangement of Safe shelter and security.
You can apply for a Happy Fridge. Just a few remaining now. Mail us with your contact details & we will forward the same to the organizers. Please email to rwabhagidari@yahoo.in
Proposal for a Shared security guard in your area
Dear Sir,
It was a pleasure interacting with you. We are a Technology startup incubated in SINE, IIT-Bombay. We are solving the problem of security concerns in Residential areas by providing a shared security guard who will patrol your area. Here are the details:
- Guard will be patrolling a maximum of 5 streets in your area covering 100 homes, not more than that. He will pass by your house at least every 15 minutes.
- The subscription to this service is OPTIONAL. Each house needs to pay Rs. 250 per month to subscribe to this service. Even if we get 10 subscribers in your area, we will provide a guard. We hope that others will pay in the future. We will look after only those houses who have subscribed to the service. We will not operate through RWA. Families have to pay us individually. We need the help of RWA to reach out to residents.
- The guard will be from a well-reputed security agency who will be well-trained and well-dressed.
- We plan to build a Mobile App which will have an Emergency button. It will alert the guard who will rush to your house within 2 minutes. We also plan to build an Emergency response team who will be there within 10 minutes.
- Money needs to be paid after 30 days of starting the service. If you are not happy with the service within 30 days, you can cancel the service and you don't need to pay for anything.
- We will put a small placard in front of every subscriber's house saying something like "This house is guarded by a security guard". It will act as a deterrent to crimes.
We are grateful to you for hearing us out and giving your suggestions. We solicit your help in running a pilot program in 2-3 areas to start with.
I will look forward to hearing from you.
Best regards.
Krishna
Friday, August 2, 2019
It took us 16 months for a partial success in the fight against the hike of the Fixed Charges - Rolled Back on 31st July 2019
At last the Fixed Charges have been rolled back on 31st July 2019. It was a long battle of exactly 16 months. We had started demanding the Roll Back of the hike of the Fixed Charges on the very first day itself, i.e. 28th March 2018 & the partial success came to us on this 31st July 2019, when the DERC chairman announced the Roll Back of the Fixed Charges.
The Detailed story of our battle with DERC & Delhi Government on this issue will be uploaded soon. We are still seeking the REFUND of Rs 5000 Crores, i.e. Excessively collected by the DISCOMs, in the 16 months period, on account of the Fixed Charges.
We are thankful to the entire Team of East Delhi RWAs Joint Front, that stood with us all the time.
The Detailed story of our battle with DERC & Delhi Government on this issue will be uploaded soon. We are still seeking the REFUND of Rs 5000 Crores, i.e. Excessively collected by the DISCOMs, in the 16 months period, on account of the Fixed Charges.
We are thankful to the entire Team of East Delhi RWAs Joint Front, that stood with us all the time.
Wednesday, July 24, 2019
Tuesday, July 23, 2019
RWA’s Condemn Uncharitable Remarks made by CAIT about the Esteemed Members of the Monitoring Committee.
City Traders in their desperation are resorting to distasteful Remarks about the age of Monitoring Committee Members. Traders are not willing to look within and are pointing fingers at the Monitoring Committee, which is doing its job as per the Law and as mandated by SC.
Traders are frustrated that when they manage to browbeat the Political Class and DDA in getting exemptions for blatant Irregularities, which have not and cannot, withstand the test of SC Scrutiny or on the grounds of Social Justice and Equity. They even expect the General Public to subsidize and pay for the cost of Infrastructure Enhancement while asking for Unscientific and Low Conversion Charges.
SC APPOINTED MONITORING COMMITTEE AND IT'S ESTEEMED MEMBERS ARE THE ONLY HOPE FOR RWAS TO 'SAVE OUR CITY. '
Unlike Traders, RWA’s neither have the resources nor the Time to organize Street Protests/Rallies, disturbing Civic Life. RWA’s only hope lies in putting across their grievances to the Monitoring Committee, which further places their concerns in front of the SC.
RWA’s Charter of Demand under the 'SAVE OUR CITY CAMPAIGN' to make Delhi liveable has been presented to the MC and DDA.
DDA in its wisdom or under pressure keeps on amending the MPD-2021, OVER 250 TIMES AT LAST COUNT SINCE 2006, to accommodate more and more irregularities, turning Delhi into a Chaotic Slum, the less said about the Environment the better.
RWA's ARE FULLY BEHIND THE MONITORING COMMITTEE, SC SHOULD NOT SUCCUMB TO PRESSURE FROM TRADING LOBBY and hear the case on Day-to-Day basis and decide the applicability of MPD-2021 speedily and justly, keeping the DOCTRINE OF PUBLIC TRUST in mind.
RWAs also feel SADDENED BY THE KEEPING OF ESTABLISHMENTS SEALED FOR LONG PERIODS, which is detrimental for Economy and peace in society as it places people against people, RWAs are unhappy with the inordinate delay by SC in deciding the fate of MPD-2021.
S/d
On behalf of ‘SAVE OUR CITY’ Campaign
Joint Signatories
Saturday, July 20, 2019
Bhagidari of Sheila Dikshit with the RWAs of Delhi !
Sheila Dikshit was the only leader who tried her best to empower the RWAs of Delhi by her novel BHAGIDARI Scheme. The term RWA got a real BOOST during her tenure only. There was no discrimination of any kind and it encouraged more and more localities to form the RWAs and join the Bhagidari Cell of Delhi Government. She also introduced the concept of TEAM DELHI.
Under the Bhagidari scheme, the area SDMs started inviting the RWAs to discuss and resolve various localized issues. All the concerned Departments were also invited in all such meetings to answer the issues of the RWAs.
It was also a novel gesture introduced by her to virtually talk to the RWAs of Delhi by way of video conferencing. It looked great to have a face to face interaction with the CM, via the video conferencing as well as at various meets.
The Bhagidari cell was created at the Delhi Sachivalay to Register & help the RWAs on various civic issues. An initial fund of Rs 5 Crores was sanctioned for each District and the area Bhagidari Cell started taking requests of the RWAs for various works of repair & maintenance of Roads, Parks, drains, etc. Even the Swings for the Parks and Iron gates for the streets were provided through the RWAs.
Bhagidari Utsavs were common to interact directly with all the departments of Delhi Government, under a single roof. It really helped to resolve the real issues of various localities as the Departments were answerable to the CM & the Bhagidari Cell.
But her defeat changed the entire scenario. Bhagidari cell vanished and RWAs were no more favorite. Now there is no such interaction with the CM. There is no Bhagidari cell to mediate. SDMs have no orders to invite the RWAs. And it has become very difficult to meet our own elected CM until & unless, we belong to the party cadres.
In fact, it was the Bhagidari Scheme of Delhi Government, that initiated us to Launch our RWA Bhagidari Blog & RWA Bhagidari Website, which also lead to the formation of our RWAs Federation - East Delhi RWAs Joint Front. When we informed the Bhagidari cell of Delhi Government about this development, we got an official letter from them for Congratulating us.
Even at this stage of her health, she came forward to talk to us on the issue of the Fixed Charges of Electricity & went to the office of Mr. Arvind Kejriwal to talk to him on the issue, seeking the refund of the excess collections by the DISCOMs. She demanded the waiver of the Electricity bills for the next 6 months to compensate the consumers.
Therefore, the RWA community of Delhi can never forget Smt. Sheila Dikshit for her initiatives to Empower the RWAs of Delhi. We can never forget the Bhagidari Cell that was always there during her tenure to support us. Truly, we are going to miss her a lot. Our Salute to the Departed Soul. RIP.
Friday, July 19, 2019
MVC IV Objections
Joint Assessor & Collector/HQ
15 July 2019
Assessment & Collection Department, SDMC
20TH Floor, E-1 Block
Civic Centre, Minto Road
New Delhi 110002
Objection to fixing of incorrect total
weightage value - GK Enclave I & II and
Request for classification in category C
Dear Sir / Madam,
Please refer SDMC Public Notice no.
Tax/HQ/SDMC/MVC-IV/2019/D-447 dated 17 Jun 2019, under section 116B (1)
inviting Suggestions/Comments/Objections on recommendations for classifications
of Colonies/Areas/Localities, Unit Area Values & factors for implementation
of Unit Area System in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi.
As per your Matrix, the GK Enclaves I &
II total weightage value has been incorrectly fixed at 93, and needs revision
and consequent classification of the colony under category ‘C’. Our objections
are based on the facts highlighted as under:
Under
Level of Services physical infrastructure: Under this category both
GK Enclave I & II have been wrongly awarded “A” category.
1. Water Supply: GK
Enclave 1 Colony has two tube wells from which water is drawn and filled in an
overhead tank. This facility was created by the cooperative society utilizing
contributions from plot holder-members. Our colony gets treated water
occasionally, resulting in residents getting underground water for a limited
time every day. This matter is being pursued at CEO / Member DJB level, but so
far, supply of treated water remains very occasional.
2. Sewage and Drainage: Land was allotted to the society in 1970 and
as per the rules at that time, a maximum of two dwelling units each were
permitted to be built. Accordingly, more
than 45 years ago, the sewage infrastructure was laid down by the Society,
exclusively using the funds mobilized from its members, with a capacity
appropriate to the needs at that point in time. The infrastructure isalready
cracking with the heavy load placed on it due to twice the number of dwelling
units having being permitted to be built over the ensuing years, and as a
result of this overload, the sewer gutters are constantly overflowing.
3. Now
the load on our sewer lines has further increased because the sewer line of the
newly constructed Police Station-cum-Residence complex has also been connected
to our colony’s sewer line. This matter, too, is being pursued at CEO / Member
DJB level, but so far, no action and/or reply has been received on augmentation of our sewer lines.
4. In spite of repeated
requests, the desilting of our sewer
lines and drainshas not been done.
5.
No
system exists in our colony for Solid
Waste Management, Energy Generation
and Supply. The RWA has engaged its own staff for collection, segregation
and dumping on solid waste at the municipal dump near the adjoining Pamposh Colony.
Level of
services Social infrastructure: Under this category GK Enclave I & II have both
been wrongly awarded “A” category.
1.
Both
GK Enclave I & II are colonies that are more than 45 years old. However, facilities like a Community Centre
and an RWA Office are not available and have not been developed by any
government agency, although provisions exist to develop these out of funds
allotted to the MP / MLA of the area.
2.
The
residents have to tread considerable distance to reach the market in Greater
Kailash Part-1 though grocery shops are accessible at about 700 to a kilometer.
Society land in Greater Kailash Enclave-1 was handed over to DDA to develop a
Convenient Shopping Centre so that the colony residents could have retail
shopping facilities, but the ground reality is that 90% of these shops are
being used as Office Complexes, and the DDA / any other government agency has
not taken any corrective measures or action against these defaulters.
Economic
Status of Residents: Under this category also, both
GK Enclave I & II have been wrongly awarded “A” category.
1.
The original name of GK Enclave I and II is “East Punjab Railways Refugee
Rehabilitation House Building Cooperating Housing Society”. Both colonies
were developed on the land allotted to the society formed by Railway
employeeswho were forced to leave behind home, hearth, and any other
possessions and migrate to India during the 1947 India-Pakistan partition.
Accordingly, a majority of the residents are retired Government pensioners. Any
increase in the property tax amount will be a very big burden on their already
limited income.
Metro
Marks:Under
this category GK Enclave I has been wrongly awarded “5” points.
1.
The distance between the Metro Station &
GK Enclave-1 is more than 1000 meters and that too has to be covered on foot,
given the available route. Therefore, there should be NIL point instead of 5 points.
General
Observations: The Municipal Corporation constituted the fourth Municipal Valuation Committee
(MVC) to find ways to increase the revenue of the Municipal Corporation. As per IV MVC Interim Report, it was
suggested to increase the Unit Area Rate of Property Tax. In this report, the
Committee linked the increase of unit area proposals rate with the Consumer
Price Index.
We have objections on the Proposals, the Methods
adopted & the Findings process to increase tax collections on the following
grounds:
1.
Municipal Services cannot be attached with
the Consumer Price Index because the objective of construction of the Index is
limited to being a macroeconomic gauge. This index is not all indicator of each
and every cost. Property tax is a tax to fund the expenses for provision of
municipal services. In case municipal services are limited or deficient, there
will be no case for increase in the price of the same in consonance with rise
in the Consumer Price Index. In particular in case of Greater Kailash Enclave-1,
certain services like solid waste collection continue to be financed directly
by the residents or the water supply is from facilities created by the
Cooperative Society would remain a fact irrespective of the increase in CPI.
Rather it would deal a double whammy, firstly to brunt of price inflation and
secondly to bear increase in property tax too.
2.
Property tax is leviable on Annual Value of
the property, being the rental value it can fetch from year to year. Unit Rate
Method is a simplification of computation but should not deviate from the
fundament concept of the Annual Value. The prevailing economic conditions do
not support any case of increase in the Annual Value particular, as there is
insufficiencies of municipal Facilities major source of evasion augmentation of
revenue could be plugging the leakage of revenue as a large number of property
owners have reportedly escaped the tax net. Therecould be cases of
misdeclaration of use with a view to fitting into a lower use factor and hence
lower assessment of tax. The burden of deficiency in enforcement should not be
put on the honest taxpayers.
3.
Everybody is aware that a large number of
houses located in unauthorized colonies have not been paying any Property Tax
because it has never been levied on them. Should the authorities wish to
continue to spare them the levy, the burden of cost of services provided to
them should not fall on the compliant taxpayers.
4.
Chittaranjan Park, which is a similarly
situated colony in all respects as the Greater Kailash Enclave I & II, is
proposed to be reclassified as “C”. Chittaranjan Park earlier known as East
Pakistan Displaced Persons colony, was classified as C for the reason of it
being a “refugees” colony. Greater Kailash Enclave I & II are also
“refugee” colonies and were earlier known as “East Punjab Railways Refugee
Rehabilitation House Building Cooperating Housing Society”. In fact, unlike our Greater Kailash Enclave-1
colony, Chittaranjan Park is strewn with markets in its planning. Therefore,
there is every justification to reclassify this colony as well to category “C”.
While we do hope our submissions will receive due
consideration and our prayer granted, we seek an opportunity of personal
hearing to put forth our case.
Submitted for your favorable consideration.
Kind regards,
Wg Cdr
Virender Sharma (Retd)
New Delhi 110048
Wednesday, July 17, 2019
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