By Sharda Suresh, Convener of Voice Of People (VOP)
Did you know that you have the right to meet your elected representatives and discuss civic issues concerning your neighbourhood with them? Did you know that you can question them about the facilities or the lack of facilities in your neighbourhood? Did you know that you can even ask them about the funds allocated for the various projects that have been sanctioned and the progress of these projects?
Not only do you have the right to meet your elected representatives, and they are duty-bound by law to meet you and answer your queries. Four days of the year are dedicated (mandated) by law, for the elected ward councillor to meet the local citizens. These meetings are called Area Sabhas. They have to be held in a public place and are open to all. Citizens do not need an appointment in advance and do not have to seek permission to raise questions on civic issues. The ward councillors must attend these meetings and listen to public grievances. The Area Sabhas also requires government officials from Metro Water, EB and health departments to be present at the meetings. This allows the citizens to directly speak to these officials and discuss the problems they are facing. It also allows citizens to give suggestions and work for the better of their community.
The next Area Sabha meeting is going to be held on April 14, in your neighbourhood. It is the responsibility of your elected Ward Councillor to conduct this meeting in your neighbourhood on this day.
What can you expect in an Area Sabha meeting:
1. An open forum, preferably in a question-and-answer format, where every citizen is allowed to express their grievance;
2. No party slogans or shouting. This is a forum to meet citizens and not a platform for campaigning or giving speeches;
3. Ward councillor can speak on the forthcoming projects along with the finance allocated and the date of completion of the projects;
4. Discussion of any civic issue that comes within the purview of the Ward Councillor such as cleanliness, trash pickup, traffic concerns, road laying, sewage maintenance etc.
The Area Sabha is a very good platform for participatory democracy. Please use this opportunity to get involved in making your area/ward a beautiful place to live. To know more about Area Sabha please check out https://bit.ly/3IUhLL9.
Attend the meeting in large numbers. The time and place of the meeting will be announced soon. The date is April 14.
