Lok Sabha elections: Zirakpur RWAs to highlight problems

ZIRAKPUR: To make sure that the Lok Sabha candidates get the issues bogging their area, Zirakpur Common Residents’ Association is planning to approach the Election Commission (EC) of India for permission to put up banners at 15 points. These banners will illustrate eight core issues pertaining to the area that is affecting majority of the residents.

Almost four weeks ago, the association sought permission from the sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) office to put up the banners in Zirakpur. The SDM office had informed the residents that the EC has to give approval for the same.

Manoj Das, a resident of Zirakpur and a member of the association, said that they have sent reminder to the authorities twice to get permission, but no response was received till now. He said that the members will now visit the EC to seek permission, as it is not a political banner.

In their request, the residents had said that they are left with no option to bring the problems to the notice of the competent authorities. “We only want to exercise our right to freedom of speech and expression, assured to every citizen under the Article 19(1) of the Constitution of India, and put up banners at different places in Zirakpur,” they said.

On March 23, the representatives of various societies meet and have decided to highlight their issues under the banner of Zirakpur Common Residents’ Association. It was decided by them that any candidate who come seeking vote first have to tell them in detail about their plans to resolve the issues of the area as well as give a time frame.

Members have identified the spots for the banners as well — main parks of Dhakoli, Baltana, Lohgarh, Sushma square, near metro, apni mandis, near railway crossing of Dhakoli, on municipal council road, on entry and exit point of Chandigarh and Panchkula.