Vol. III Issue 1

Page 6

CIVIC NEWS

bandrabuzz.wordpress.com

January 2012

05

ALM meeting at BMC conference hall The Minutes of the H/West Ward ALMs Meeting The TPS III citizens’ group requested that the held at the BMC Conference Hall on 14th Oc- mound of garbage at the 14th – 33rd road junction be lifted. The collection of garbage tober, 2011, are as under: on the road to Chuim village was also to be The meeting was chaired by Mr. Kiran lifted. The DMC assured that clean up MarAchrekar, DMC Zone III along with Asst. MC Mr. shalls will be put on the coastline spots, where Sunil Dhamne. It was attended by Councillors hand cart pullers were dumping debris on the Asif Zakaria, Kavita Rodricks, Rahebar Khan, coast line reclaiming land and altering the Ward officials and 63 members. Those present coastline. The DMC promised to put cleanup were requested to sign the muster and also marshals at the spot. mention their email addresses to facilitate future BMC communication with the ALM mem- Hawkers The issue of encroachments on footpaths on bers. was raised eg. Pali Naka , Veronica Road. In The ALM members welcomed the new Asst. MC fact Kalyan Kendra was concerned that the Mr. Sunil Dhamne and assured him full co-op- setback given to the BMC may also get miseration by ALMs in H/West ward, in solving used. The DMC opined that a meeting of the shopcivic problems of the area. keepers association which had volunteered to maintain pavements in front of their shops The Agenda - Discussed & Decided: would be called to discuss the matter of mainWater Water shortage was reported from some areas. taining the footpaths outside their shops. The Department officials said it was due to recent road behind Avabai Petit School that had below pressure in the supply lines. Kavita Ro- come a cause for nuisance with hawkers, dricks (W.No.95) stressed the need for ‘chabli- parked cars and anti-social elements using it valas’ to strictly follow the timings for water freely since no one maintained it. Councilor Asif Zakaria (W.No.96) explained that the BMC release. would take up its maintenance if and when this road was legally handed over the road to Restaurants Restauratns with no ‘Grease Traps’ to drain off BMC. the solid waste from entering the drains were now listed and residents gave a few more Any Other Matter: Report from Traffic Dept. names. Mr. Acherekar assured that a compre- A report on traffic issues was received from hensive list will be ready to take up the issue. traffic-in-charge - Bandra division, Inspector Vijayalakshmi. The report mentioned the following points: Sewage in Storm water Drains The issue of sewage from slums coming into Storm water Drains was discussed and a list of Action Taken i) Garages near St. Elias School had been issuch spots was given to the BMC. sued notices to cancel license. ii) proposal accepted for fixing traffic signs on Stalls selling Tobacco Products In the matter of stalls selling tobacco products electric poles. within 100 meters of educational institutions iii) No parking boards to be put up outside - the display signs of tobacco products had schools been removed, but these continued to be iv) St. John’s Road to be made ‘One Way’, East sold. ‘Gutka’ sales also continued because it to West , near Gold Gym. was not included in the outdated list of clauses in the Act. The DMC promised to insert Proposed Action i) For pedestrian crossing, white paver blocks this clause. should be used instead of the paint ii) Illegal kiosks and eateries to be monitored Solid Waste Management A recent press coverage said that ‘H’ West on Linking Road Ward had the highest dry waste collection. iii) Cars parked on pavements to be towed This was appreciated and also the conversion away of wet waste generated during festivals into iv) Rickshaw stands to be regulated manure was well noted. The following points v) proposed to redirect the bus route from entering 20th Road, given by Mrs. Kavita Roemerged from the discussion: dricks to the BEST a) How many premises were into segregation vi) One side parking on Tagore Road, Sanof wet and dry waste, followed with their sep- tacruz suggested vii) penalties for traffic offences should be increased arate disposal? viii) BEST to instruct drivers to keep buses in b) ALM members were requested to give extreme left lane names of buildings in their areas that were ix) BMC to trim tree branches that obstruct NOT following the 2 Bin Policy. The phone traffic signals. number of Zamir Khan - the head of the cleanup marshals was given to the gathering. Res- Councillor Rahebar Khan (W. No. 91) menidents wanted a BMC Circular to increase tioned that since the police department was awareness for participation of more premises under the State Government, any such issues in Waste Management. There was a sugges- regarding traffic should be taken to the Legtion for BMC vehicles (mukkadams) not to ac- islative Assembly by the local MLA. cept non-segregated garbage. The meeting ended with a vote of thanks to c) The Peter Dias road ALM requested for the Chair. Bharati Kakkad garbage bins to be placed at the slum pocket.

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Each year, bureaucrats devise new ways to deny or delay information to RTI applicants, who need to cross an ever-increasing number of hurdles to get it. And Mr. Leslie Almeida DOPT ( Govt. of India ) RTI certified grade A, devises new ways to twist and turn and frame queries, so information cannot be denied. Hurdles can be as small as the public information officer (PIO) not listing the name of the 1st appellate authority in an RTI reply. It is binding on the PIO to state the name of the appellate authority in a reply, so that the applicant knows who to appeal - if he or she is not satisfied with the PIO's reply . But many government bodies hardly follow this norm. It is therefore better that in ‘information sought’ to write and ask for the name. designation & address of 1st appellate authority. Please note: "It is binding on the PIO to state the name of the appellate authority in a reply, so that the applicant knows who to appeal, if he or she is not satisfied with the PIO's reply . But, because many government bodies hardly follow this norm, the pendency of RTI appeals is rising steadily and the 2nd appeal takes about a year to come up. However, perseverance pays.

How to file an RTI Application 1 ) File the RTI application as per format. 2) The PIO has to give information within 30 days 3) If you do not get information within 30 days, File a 1st appeal within 30 days of non-receipt, or If you are not satisfied with PIO’s reply 4) 1st Appellant authority will give a hearing within a month. The Applicant is not bound to go for hearing, as it can be passed on merits 5) An order will be passed by 1st appellate authority 6) If not satisfied with 1st appellates order file 2nd appeal before State Information commissioner or Central information officer within 90 days, all info on state Govt. to SIC, all info on central Govt, eg: central govt offices like Govt banks, LIC etc To CIC Delhi ( when hearing comes up, you should go and argue your case, although it os not deemed necessary to go for hearing as SIC/CIC can pass orders on merits of the case.) For RTI State Applications affix Rs 10 court fee stamp, 1st appeal Rs 20 court fee stamp & 2nd appeal affix 20 Rs court fee stamp, - RTI Central Govt Rs 10 cash, demand draft, or Postal order (cheque) 1st appeal and 2nd appeal no charges ( free )

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Leslie Almeida


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