One week to go for BMC polls, Mumbai NGOs demand better governance, basic services

HSMA has demanded proper implementation of Area Sabhas. The Sabhas are defined as the body of electors from an area — consisting one to three polling booths in a ward — who have regular meetings with their representatives every six months

With just a week to go before Mumbai votes, Hamara Shehar Mumbai Abhiyaan (HSMA), a group of 40 non-governmental organisations released a ‘People’s manifesto’ on Tuesday, which includes demands in sectors such as health, education, housing, urban development and governance.

The group wants a participatory budget to ensure government funds are utilised effectively. It has also demanded an upgradation of Mumbai’s transport system, and encouraging carpooling and pedestrian-friendly streets. (HT)

HSMA has demanded proper implementation of Area Sabhas. The Sabhas are defined as the body of electors from an area — consisting one to three polling booths in a ward — who have regular meetings with their representatives every six months.

“This will ensure inclusive governance. The BMC must also share a periodic performance appraisal by a third-party of the elected representatives . This will ensure accountability,” said Sitaram Shelar from HSMA.

The group wants a participatory budget to ensure government funds are utilised effectively. It has also demanded an upgradation of Mumbai’s transport system, and encouraging carpooling and pedestrian-friendly streets.

The group, which has also been working towards an inclusive Development Plan (DP) 2034 for the city, has recommended measures to make the city safe for women and child and to bring in measures to make it disabled-friendly. This can be done, the group said, by setting up a child protection committee in every ward, with corporators responsible for undertaking child development programmes. The organisation includes the Homeless collective, which has demanded 100 shelters to accommodate 500 people each, to provide shelter to the 56,000 homeless people living on Mumbai’s streets.

More than 2,000 candidates are contesting for 227 electoral wards in the election, set to be held on February 21. The results will be declared on February 23.

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