There seems to be little space for citizens voices in the BMC when it comes to decision-making. The ward committees that should be having three members as citizens have those seats vacant since March 2017, reveals information provided under an RTI query. The RTI plea was filed by activist Anil Galigali.
As per rules, each ward committee is expected to nominate three socially active citizens who can opine on issues taken up at meetings. Mumbai has 17 ward committees and each is authorised to give Rs 5 lakh for development works that do not need anybody else's nod.
While the citizens nominated to ward committees cannot vote, they are allowed to participate in and deliberate on civic matters and vocalise their objection, if any.
"Politicians and the administration don't want transparency, so they do not want to appoint citizens. I have written to the Chief Minister seeking that these people should be appointed and action should be taken against officials for sitting on these appointments," said Galgali.
As per process, an advertisement needs to be published in newspapers before members are to be selected for ward committees.