Each
one of us is well aware that quarterly “SABHAS” are held in the wards of various
Panchayats, Municipalities and Corporation of various Districts. The primary
eligibility criterion as laid down by the Government of India to attend and
participate in such SABHAS is positive identification of all participants in
the form of Voter’s Identity issued by the Election Commission of India. The
purpose of such meetings is manifold. However one such purpose is to update the
effective strength of voters from the ward by deleting the deceased members and
adding the names of new members who have become eligible apropos terms and
conditions laid down by the Election Commission of India. A minimum of ten per
cent of attendance based on its effective strength of eligible members is
required to complete the quorum of such SABHAS. However in reality, these days in
Wards belonging to Panchayats, Municipality and Corporations these meetings are
only shown as held on paper whereas physically they are rarely held. As per rules
whenever a ‘Sabha’ is called together and if the strength of attendance is less
than one tenth of its effective strength the election Commission can intervene
and change the Ward Member if required. In order to obviate such a possibility such
meetings are being shown as held on paper and records of attendance are
doctored and fabricated to show that the quorum was complete. Even minutes of
such meetings are tailor made and kept for record purposes. This is done by
adding fictitious names and particulars of individuals as attendees. The voters
ID particulars is left blank against
their names and as such no verification of such records is possible practically.
The records including minutes of such meetings are available for public
scrutiny on payment of relevant fees as per RTI Act.
Although it is imperative as per policy
directive to inform all members of the Ward about such “SABHAS”, these mandates
are never followed in principle. Mostly such meetings are held without any agenda
or topic for discussion. Mostly it is held in the name of registration/ allotment
of grant pertaining to Government Schemes for poor; towards purchase of cattle,
poultry, and other welfare schemes meant for the poor self employed. Whether
such benefits actually reach the persons or people intended is any body’s
guess. Mostly such allotments of grants are made as per the whims and fancies
of the Panchayat Member and primarily it serves as a vote bank from the beneficiary
in future elections. Moreover it serves as a means for fostering corrupt practices
of taking bribes for allotting grants/freebies. It is often seen that Panchayat
members who are paid a meagre monthly salary amass a fortune after they stay in
office for a period of five years. This is irrespective of the Party they
belong to. Any honest citizen who raises his voice against such corruption and
malafide practices are subjected to mass opposition and veiled threats.
Consequently upright and self-respecting citizens refrain from attending such
SABHAS and avoid any confrontation with the existing muscle power mafia.
It
is here that the Aam Aadmi Party has entered the arena to play a decisive and
important role in future by transferring the true decision making power to the people
of the ward . Here it is reiterated that in order to be a member of a ward, a
person must be eligible to cast his vote (voter) in possession of Voters’ ID. For an individual it is a must as per the Govt
of India Directive on the subject.
In
view of the foregoing, I request one and all to apply your mind and think for a
while that If an individual is given membership on line in AAP based on what name
and address he may say and give (as advocated by the members of the Adhoc State
Committee of Kerala) and without verifying
the basic criterion of his eligibility to participate in elections and without
determining which ward he/she would be a member of; would it serve any
meaningful or useful purpose whatsoever? Don’t you think it beats the basic
concept of ‘SWARAJ’, the transfer of power to the people? Is the election
process based on anonymity or identity? If one supports truth and wishes to
lead a life of uprightness and integrity, and wishes to abide by the
Constitution of AAP both in letter and spirit and wishes to better the future
of our country by cleaning up the prevalent corrupt practices, why should one
be afraid of making known his personal particulars and antecedents which is in
public domain in the Election Commission of India Website ─ unless of course one has some dark past/present or
some skeletons in the cupboard which one intends to hide or pull wool over the
eyes of the public?
Alternatively
think of a scenario where, in a Ward if there are just ten upright,
well-meaning and patriotic citizens belonging to Aam Aadmi Party, who possesses
Voters ID and are members of that Ward, they can collectively represent and
take up the wrong doings of such Ward committees, and furnish the desired proof
in the form of video recordings and otherwise to the competent authority for
redress. Won’t it change the present system and eradicate corruption? This is
exactly what Shri Arvind Kejriwal is intending to bring about. It would bring
about a sea change and cull out a well-oiled and corruption free functioning
system replacing our existing mismanagement and corrupt practices. Those
eligible voters, residents at each Ward desirous of joining AAP but not in
possession of Voters ID must apply for same and procure it on top priority for
effective participation in Grama Sabha and for creating a better, well governed
and corruption free India. Arvind Kejriwal has done priceless service to our
country by setting the concept in motion and it is upto each one of us to be
the keeper of the flame of the traditions set by Shri Arvind Kejriwal. His name
will be written in letters of gold in the annals of history.
All
members of the Caretaker State Committee of Kerala should endeavour to live by
the standards set by Arvind Kejriwal and must immediately change over from
anonymity to identity and disclose their identity and antecedents that they are
people who possess Voter’s Identity and registering themselves at their
respective wards. They also need to focus on developing the AAP concept at Ward
level instead of channelising their energy on issues like Vizhinjam Seaport,
Aramula Airport or selling waste management equipment.
Please
refer my earlier blogs :-
അഭിപ്രായങ്ങളൊന്നുമില്ല:
ഒരു അഭിപ്രായം പോസ്റ്റ് ചെയ്യൂ