MPs sign charter, citizens evaluate it

Nearly 10 months ago, a group of Mumbaiites presented a Citizens’ Charter to six candidates for the 2009 Lok Sabha elections.

Nearly 10 months ago, a group of Mumbaiites presented a Citizens’ Charter to six candidates for the 2009 Lok Sabha elections. On Sunday, a meeting was held to see how the members of parliament could deliver on the charter they had signed.

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While MPs Milind Deora and Priya Dutt attended the meeting organised by Action for Good Governance and Networking in India (Agni) at St Joseph’s School, Wadala, Sanjay Nirupam sent a representative on his behalf. The other members, Sanjay Patil, Eknath Gaikwad and Gurudas Kamat failed to turn up.

“They had promised they would come, but then reneged on their word at the last minute,” said Gerson Da Cunha, Agni convener.

A major issue was setting-up of a better suburban railway service, in terms of regularity, frequency, comfort, safety and management of trains. “We demanded that the management of suburban trains should be run from Mumbai and not Delhi,” said Da Cunha, adding, “Accordingly, a division should be set in Mumbai with a divisional manager to handle issues related to the suburban trains.”

Demands were made for the Bombay Port Trust land to be used as open spaces, city amenities and parks for the citizens. Thirdly, the citizens felt that CRZ rules need to be upheld and should remain unaltered.

Next, an appeal was made for the MPs to involve citizens in the decision-making process on how the MPs’ discretionary funds are used for the city.

“Finally, MPs were requested to work as a team for the good of the city,” said Da Cunha.