New law The newly proposed Community Participation Law, an offshoot of the Bhagidari scheme, can enhance your role in government projects in your area Are government agencies pushing unrealistic projects in your neighbourhood? The solution may lie in the Community Participation Law proposed by the Delhi government — if approved, it will make it mandatory for the government and its agencies to get the opinion of citizens’ groups and residents’ welfare associations (RWAs) before starting any project. The law can prove as forceful as the Right to Information Act (RTI) in empowering citizens. A copy of the cabinet note on the law can be obtained from the legal department of the Delhi government by filing an RTI application. In accordance with the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), the note proposes that municipal committees, ward committees and below-ward committees should ensure participation of RWAs in decision-making. Then, for every infrastructure project the government agency would need to present the proposal to RWAs to submit objections and suggestions. It’s a step ahead of Bhagidari (Citizens’ Participation in Governance), a government scheme with a very strong presence of RWAs. And while the Delhi government processes Harmony for Silvers Foundation’s RTI application for a copy of the cabinet note proposing the law, we take this opportunity to briefly tell you about Bhagidari. An offshoot of the 73rd and 74th amendment of the Constitution, Bhagidari — launched in 1998 — ensures democracy at the grassroots in our panchayat and municipalities. It ensures that citizens and government officials meet, interact, overcome inhibitions, act together and solve problems together. Since the launch of Bhagidari, RWAs have participated in scores of projects. These include water harvesting for residential areas, desilting of sewers, electricity meter reading, replacement of low-tension wires and faulty meters, house tax collection, maintenance of community parks, management of community halls, sanitation services, door-to-door garbage collection, public awareness about sanitation, tree plantation drives, drives against plastic bags, neighbourhood watch system, police verification of domestic help and preventing encroachments. Some success stories RWAs collect payment of water bills by cheque on fixed date and time. 267 RWAs actively participate in observing water leakage and register them with Delhi Jal Board. 140 RWAs have taken up water harvesting measures. 143 RWAs have voluntarily participated in replacement of old/leaking service pipes in their areas. Extensive plantation drives have been taken up by several colonies. The Federation of Group Housing Societies in the residential areas of Indraprastha Extension started the meter reading scheme by RWAs with participation of zonal officers of Delhi Vidyut Board. RWAs collected readings from 23,000 meters and were paid Rs 2 per reading. The Indraprastha Extension Federation, representing 50,000 citizens, also helped Delhi Police conduct verification of tenants, security guards and domestic help in the area. The federation also educates residents about safety devices for vehicles and home security. Featured in Harmony Magazine April 2008