CM places Rs 50 lakh for RWAs to suggest development works

New Delhi, Sep 21 (UNI) Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today said an amount of Rs 50 lakh from the ''My Delhi I Care'' Fund would be placed at the disposal of Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) at the district level to suggest works relating to improvement in civic amenities in their respective localities.

The amount per annum would be enhanced on submission of large number of constructive suggestions by the RWAs, she said.

She made this announcement while addressing the concluding session of a three-day 'Bhagidari' (partnership) workshop in which RWAs from East, North-East and New Delhi Districts participated.

The senior officials of NDMC, MCD, DJB, Transport, Delhi Police and BSES also took part in the workshop.

Ms Dikshit complemented the role of RWAs in bringing about substantial improvement in maintenance of parks, street lights, enhancement of green area and implementation of various people friendly schemes through the 'Bhagidari' programme, which has acquired a significant place in the hearts of the people.

''It has given real shape to the concept of people's participation in governance and monitoring of various projects. The RWAs have been close partners in the endeavour to reduce pollution in Delhi,'' she said.

She expressed confidence that fruitful interaction over the last three days on various issues would strengthen the understanding with which RWAs have been working together in improving their habitat as well as the capital city of the largest democracy.

In the workshop 35 participating groups prepared their Action Plan relating to improvement of civic amenities in their respective localities.

The Action Plan was presented to the Chief Minister. She instructed the officers concerned to fully implement suggestions the in next two months. She observed that there has been a sea-change in amenities like water, electricity, cleanliness, maintenance of various services though much is yet to be done in the area of sewage. She called upon DJB to concentrate on this issue.

The DJB has acquired a new technology, which would help in identification of choking part of sewer lines from the ground level without carying out any digging.

All the MLAs have been requested to release amount out of their MLA Development Fund for setting up of Porta cabin offices for RWAs.

While stressing the need of conservation of power, the Chief Minister requested RWAs to help in imbibing habit of power saving and rational use of electricity among the residents and exhorted them to popularise the scheme of subsidy for installation of solar heaters in dwelling units which would go a long way in saving huge electricity. It may be noted that the City Government has been providing subsidy of Rs 6000 on installation of solar heaters. The installation of solar heaters has been made mandatory in case of hotels, hostels and hospitals.

UNI