More work but little money

New Delhi: When residents’ welfare associations (RWAs) were initiated into the ambitious Bhagidari scheme, the citizens’ groups found that they had a lot to bite but no teeth. Left with no powers, financial or punitive, RWAs found they were largely back to were they began: using persuasion and collecting residents’ membership fees, which are usually low and in many cases, come in fits and starts.
For instance, what does a colony do if its garbage dumps haven’t been cleaned for days by the Delhi Municipal Corporation (MCD), despite several reminders? Look for the next best alternative: a private contractor. But where does the money come from?
Munirka’s Delhi Development Authority (DDA) flats have been facing a serious problem of garbage-clogged rain water drains for years now. Despite being a member of Bhagidari, the colony has failed to push through action to clear the drain. ‘‘Every monsoon, the drainage system collapses,’’ said Y C Gera, president for association no. 86 of the Federation of DDA Flats, Munirka. ‘‘This time, we asked the local councillor to give us some funds so that we could get a private contractor to clean up the drain. But he said the MCD would do the job,’’ Gera said.
‘‘Bhagidari has meant that more and more responsibilities are being passed on to RWAs but without adequate financial support,’’ he said. ‘‘The government should instead give the job to private contractors under the supervision of RWAs. Contractors should be paid by the government only after the RWAs are satisfied the work has been completed properly,’’ he suggested.
R L Dhawan, spokesperson of the Karol Bagh RWA, said their initiatives were halted due to paucity of funds. ‘‘Our parks (to be maintained by the horticulture department) are in a bad shape. We are ready to maintain them on our own but we don’t have the money,’’ he said.
The Delhi state government’s first move to ‘‘pass on’’ financial powers through Bhagidari came with the setting up of students’ welfare committees consisting of local RWAs, voluntary groups and parent-teacher associations, to improve academics and infrastructure in government schools.
Instead of the present annual grant of Rs 25,000 received by the head of the school, now each school committee can spend Rs 10,000 per month. ‘‘The money will continue to remain with the principal, but he or she will be accountable to the committee,’’ an official said.