No takers for citizen’s chair in MBMC ward panels

In response to advertisements floated twice by the civic administration inviting applicants since January 2018

For the first time after 15 years, there is an opportunity for direct citizen participation to serve as members on the ward committee of the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) and contribute in deciding the development plans and ward level expenditures to be taken up for developmental works.

However, there are virtually no takers, so far to stake claim on memberships in response to advertisements floated twice by the civic administration inviting applicants since January-2018.

The current cut-off date for submissions is 25, February. While only two people have taken forms this time, the earlier attempts have witnessed zero participation. It has been alleged that many citizens are still unaware that they can individually apply to be a part of the committee as the MBMC has not actively raised awareness on the membership application process. Aimed at increasing the active participation of citizens in the transparent functioning of civic bodies, the state government authorities have made provisions to appoint distinguished citizens with an unblemished record of social service, members representing local NGO’s on ward committee panels.

With the in-house strength of 95 corporators, the MBMC has six divisional ward committees and thus

It has been alleged that many citizens are still unaware that they can individually apply to be a part of the committee as the MBMC has not actively raised awareness on the membership application process

18 posts are open for citizen representatives. It should be checked whether the NGO is a registered one and has every year submitted audited accounts to a charity commissioner.

The NGO should prove its active involvement in at least one social service project related to the region. Moreover, candidates should have no political affiliation and should not be government or semi-government employees.