De-registering ALMs will suppress the voice of citizens, says activist

In a serious move to adopt compulsory waste segregation in the city by all, the civic body has decided to deregister Advance Locality Management (ALM) who are inactive in waste segregation in their localities, circular of same has been issued.

However, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s move is receiving flak from ALMs.

Dr. Kanta Mukherjee, member of Juhu Versova Link Road North ALM, remarked that it is nothing but to suppress the voice of the citizens.

Mukherjee further stated that BMC feels ALM work is only restricted to waste segregation but there are so many issues related to waste management. What about the road side cooking, Illegal encroachment on footpaths, illegal water supply, electricity connection and other illegal activities which creates foul smell.

“The BMC wants to protect activities of their officers, they work hand in glove. As ALM complain time and again to the civic officials about it, it seems they are bugged with the issues being raised,” claimed Mukherjee.

Mayank Jain member of Juhu Ekta ALM stated that if they (BMC) claim that ALMS are inactive then their officers are also responsible. How they can just allege that ALMs are not doing their work efficiently. “The ward officials do not take up regular meetings, if we complain they don’t act. We don’t have powers for taking action. Therefore, it is a very smart way of killing the voice of whistle-blowers,” added Jain.

He further claimed that if any such move taken by the BMC all ALMs, especially of Versova, together would move Bombay High Court against the civic body. The civic corporation chief Ajoy Mehta recently held a meeting with all ward officials and directed to prepare a list of inactive ALMs who do take take part in waste segregation.

A report in 15 days has been directed to be make and a circular of deregistration of ALMs also issued by the BMC paving way for further course of action against those. At present there are total 719 ALMs.