Assitant Municipal Commissioner had powers to Scrutinize Applications

A NGO, Athak Seva Sangh  had been fighting an 44 months battle to amendment after he found out about the Ward Councils Committees being misused. I use 3 Weapon's like RTI, Citizen Charter and CM Lokshahi Din. Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan after 1 year  clear a file that permits had powers to Scrutinize Applications in the appointment of NGOs on ward committees. 

The appointment of members for the committee, which monitors the local civic issues, was decided by corporators till the state government amended it in January to ensure better functioning. Under Signature of  Deputy secretary Mr A S Jiwane, Govt of Maharastra issue Notification dated 21st January 2013 .Till the amendment, politicians made their aides members in civic ward committees on the pretext of being part of an NGO. The committee has the powers to sanction civic work up to Rs 5 lakh. The system was flawed as the Assitant Municipal Commissioner /ward officer had no powers described to scrutinize the applications, which they received by people claiming to be working in NGOs. 

This lack of scrutiny allowed politicians and their so-called followers to get backdoor entry into the ward committees. "NGOs were kept at bay as corporators felt that the NGOs would create a nuisance by questioning many of their decisions," said a senior BMC official. "During 2002 and 2007, several nominated members of political parties became part of ward committees," the official added. 

For 44 months Behalf of Athak Seva Sangh, I  pressed for the amendment after found out about the committees being misused. I first approached the Urban Development department officials  and then Chief Minister Ashok Chavan's Lokshaahi Din on 4 Jan 2010 following which an amendment allowing Assitant Municipal Commissioner / ward officers to scrutinize the nominated members was approved. Its a happiest moment for me after this new amended bcz now actual NGOs and true member are possible to be selected.

Earlier, the Assitant Municipal Commissioner/ Ward Officers  had no powers described to scrutinize applications, which they received by people claiming to be working in NGOs