RWAs want clear guidelines before taking upkeep duty from GNIDA

Greater Noida: Office bearers of more than three dozen residents'welfare associations (RWA) reached GNIDA’s office in Knowledge Park IV to hand over a memorandum to the authority’s chief executive officer denouncing its move to hand over the maintenance work of residential sectors to them.
GNIDA wants to pass on at least three responsibilities to the RWAs gradually -- registration of pet dogs, sterilisation of stray dogs and keeping vacant plots free of garbage and litter.
Residents said unless a clear cut policy or document to distinguish and define financial as well as general liabilities is framed, they will continue to oppose the move.
Chief executive officer Narendra Bhooshan said, “A contract or memorandum of understanding will be signed between GNIDA and willing societies. We will hold talks with the resident groups before finalising the contract. Societies which are interested in taking up maintenance work, will be given a chance to do so. Otherwise, the present arrangement will continue.”
About 80 groups who stay in residential colonies or apartment complexes in Greater Noida have registered their associations with Uttar Pradesh registrar of firms, societies and chits. People staying in 15 to 20 sectors are yet to register their association.
In May, authority had opened the registration process for all kind of groups. Bhooshan said that 36 societies have applied for the scheme.
“But at that time, a lot of people did not know authority was expecting residents to pool in money to maintain their locality. Authority has to create a corpus or offer some clarity. We have been getting only assurances so far,” said Devendra Tiger, president of federation of RWAs in Greater Noida.
Bhooshan added that RWAs will be given the facility to operate and earn money through the local community centre. “Traditionally, they are used for organising marriages or birthdays. But they can be turned into a club for local residents which could have carom, billiards table, card room among other options. Membership fee can be charged and used for upkeep of the sector,” suggested Bhooshan.