In a first, RWA to get sanitation job

In another experiment that involves giving more powers to resident welfare associations, the South Delhi Municipal Corporation, in a pilot project, will hand over sanitation work in a colony to the residents. Ritam Halder reports.

In another experiment that involves giving more powers to resident welfare associations, the South Delhi Municipal Corporation, in a pilot project, will hand over sanitation work in a colony to the residents.

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The move comes on the heels of the civic body's success in handing over the maintenance of parks to RWAs.

According to a source in the South civic body, residents of Loknayak Puram near Baprola area will be entrusted with the responsibility of sanitation in the area.

"The civic body is planning to hand over sanitation work to the colony residents. The colony has 2,500 families living on an area of 75,000 square metres. The work will given on a pilot project basis for three years," a south corporation official said. The cost of the project will be Rs 25 lakh per year.

"Just like it has been done with parks, area-wise standards will be applied. Currently, the corporation gives the RWAs, who maintain their neighbourhood parks, Rs 6,000 for hiring one gardener.

"For any park, which constitutes of over three acres of land, they get allowance for two gardeners. The horticulture department provides them seeds and other gardening equipment. Similarly, a fixed amount will be earmarked for each sanitation worker with a limit on number of workers, depending on the total area," he said.

According to the officials, the Loknayak Puram RWA had approached the corporation six months back. The corporation spends around Rs 200 crore per year over sanitation.

The RWAs of South Delhi, are apprehensive of the feasibility of the move. They say it's an attempt to shift responsibility.

"I don't see this working. Parks are limited spaces within set boundaries. It will be difficult to manage sanitation staff. RWAs should be given monitoring role instead," said Rajiv Kakria, RWA member of Greater Kailash I.