The meeting of Chandigarh Residents Association Welfare Federation (CRAWFED) was held on Sunday at the Community Center of Sector-40. The meeting was chaired by Hitesh Puri, in which representatives of 96 Residents Welfare Associations were present.
During this, CRAWFED raised issues related to many development works related to the city. He urged Mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla to reconsider the preparation of imposing sewerage cess on the city residents. Because this will increase the additional financial burden on them. Apart from this, many other problems were also discussed.
CRAWFED submitted these demands to the Mayor
Ban on loudspeakers – Loudspeakers installed without permission by street vendors, beggars and those seeking donations should be banned.
Sewerage cess – The decision to increase it from 20% to 30% should be reconsidered.
Control on begging – Strict action should be taken to stop the increasing number of beggars at traffic signals, markets and residential areas.
Maintenance of parks – The Municipal Corporation should not take over the parks which are being maintained by RWAs.
Payment to RWA – The amount given for the maintenance of parks should be released on time.
Facilities for senior citizens – Library and indoor recreational facilities should be made available in all community centers for free or at nominal charges.
Repair of roads – V5 and V6 roads older than 5 years and damaged should be repaired immediately.
Waste management – Cleaning of garbage collection centers should be ensured regularly.
CRAWFED President raised questions
CRAWFED President Hitesh Puri, emphasizing the need to improve the functioning of the Municipal Corporation, demanded to increase the tenure of the Mayor to five years. He suggested implementing a public audit system and raising revenue through corporate sponsorship and advertisements instead of increasing the financial burden.
Demand for removal of stray animals and vendors
General Secretary Rajat Malhotra expressed concern over the problem of stray animals in Chandigarh and demanded to take concrete steps for their vaccination and sterilization.
Major D P Singh said that the identity cards of vegetable and fruit vendors should be checked so that incidents of snatching and theft can be stopped.
Senior Vice President Umesh Ghai appealed to the Municipal Corporation officials to conduct regular inspections.
General Secretary Anish Garg said that the vendors of Sector-41 should be shifted to their designated place and junk vehicles parked at public places for years should be removed.
Mayor appealed to the citizens for cooperation
Mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla said that many works of the city were pending for the last one year, which now need to be completed. She appealed to the citizens to put the garbage only in the Municipal Corporation vehicle and not spread it on the roads, so that Chandigarh can come number-1 in the cleanliness ranking.
