MR. T. M. NADAR
B.COM., LL.B., D.C.L.(GLC., MUM.)
Advocate, High Court
Shivchhaya, A- Wing
Karnik Road
Kalyan (West)-421 301

Date: 14th December 2010

To,
SHRI PRITHVIRAJ CHAUHAN
Honourable Chief Minister
Maharashtra State
Mantralaya, Mumbai

Dear Sir,

Sub: Demands of Local Voters regarding Nagar Raj Bill.
________________________________________


Congratulations for having passed the NAGAR RAJ BILL, (COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION LAW) to increase the Peoples’ Direct Active Participation in the democratic process.

The Nagar Raj Bill will play an important role in strengthening Democracy at grass root levels and will speed up the development work hitherto neglected in the Locality, with the active participation and co-operation of the Local Citizens/Voters and the elected Councilors.

t The Maharashtra Government has amended the draft of Central Nagar Raj Bill by removing the ‘spirit’ and leaving behind only the ‘skeleton’. I forward some of the important suggestions which may be considered as part of the amendment.

1. The Area Sabha should consist of 2 contiguous Polling Booths
(say, 1800-2200 Voters) instead of 5 Booths (4,500 to 6000 Voters) to make it easily workable.

2. The Area Sabha Representative should be elected by secret Ballot at
the time of Municipal Corporation elections.

3. There should be a Ward Committee for every Corporator Ward.

4. The present multi-Corporator Ward Committees (Prabhag Samitis) should be converted to Administrative Zone Committees.

5. The decisions and proposals of the Area Sabha should be determining.

6. There should be a definite financial provision for each Area Sabha.

7. Voters/Citizens may attend periodical Area Sabha meetings called by Area Sabha Representatives for giving their valuable suggestions and guidance in the decision making process.

8. Area Sabha meetings to be addressed by all Govt. Servants and
Officers, and Business Entities, NGOs, and other Celebrities/Dignitaries living in the Local Area on a single Platform and to impart Awareness about latest Govt. Schemes and Programs – to the citizens/voters

9. Area Sabha and Ward Committees to include learned members of all Communities living in the Local Areas – men and women in proportion of 50: 50.

10. Civic wrongs/offences may be defined and Municipal Courts
established in the Provincial Municipal Corporation Areas as in
Mumbai for enforcement, levy and collection of fines/penalties.

11.Uniform financial Autonomy to each Ward.

12. Ombudsman to ensure Accountability in the working and
implementation by the Authorities.
Yours faithfully,
Local Voter.