Jan 4: Do attend meeting of Citizens, Resident Assoc. & NGOs reg. BMC elections
Most of us want to stay as far as away from politicians as possible. Nevertheless, BJP has invited all NGOs, CBOs, Resident Associations, and Concerned Citizens to a meeting on Thursday, 4th January, (details below), and I think we should participate in this important political process.
As we know, BMC affects so many aspects of our daily lives. It is important for us to understand how BMC works and the people who make it work. The Corporators have a very important role to play. Not only do their various committees have to formally approve all policies and all expenditure proposals before any action can be initiated by BMC, but each of the 227 Corporators have a Rs. 20 lakh budget that they can spend. This means that each Corporator can spend Rs. 1 crore in his / her 5 year term for improving YOUR area. Is it being done to your satisfaction? Obviously not! Why not? How can you have a say? Voice your opinion and learn by attending the BJP – Civil Society meeting on Thursday, January 4, 2007.
Each of us will have an opportunity to give our suggestions for the BJP’s manifesto for the city. Suggestions can be for the entire city (actually, these everyone more or less knows) or can be for your particular area or some particular social or civic issue that you bothers you the most.
So please do the following:
a) Write out your suggestion or complaint. Email it to vinodtawde@vsnl.net, cc to gtshaina@yahoo.com ; and cc to info@karmayog.com
b) We will collate all suggestions and complaints received and put it on www.karmayog.org for public consumption
c) Read out your points at the meeting. Since BJP would have received it beforehand, they should be able to reply on the spot.
d) Bring 20 copies to distribute to the press — since the meeting is open to the media.
e) Bring your entire group with you if you so wish.
If you can state your Councillor Ward Number in your letter, that would make it more effective.
In case you don’t know which is your Councillor Ward no., please see
www.karmayog.com/bmc/cwardinfo0607.htm (new list);
www.karmayog.com/bmc/electoralwards.htm (old list) ;
www.karmayog.com/floods/bmcwardareas.htm (old boundaries); and
www.karmayog.com/floods/mummlcs.htm (address of your current Corporator) .
The meeting will start from 4:30 pm. We will first have a get-together with some important BJP people. Then each of us will voice our points individually beginning 5 pm. While BJP will express their points, the meeting is not really for us to hear them, but for them to hear us.
Let me re-iterate that Karmayog and NGO Council have no interest in any particular political party or candidate. We try to act as an online and offline platform and bridge for civil society. We think it is important for concerned citizens to meet those who are amongst the ones who spend Rs. 10,000 crores on the city every single year. It is also important to show that we care and we count !
Do see www.karmayog.org/bmcelections2007/ . If you have any points or questions, please feel free to give me a call.
In any case, do let us know if you intend attending. Wishing you and your family and friends a Happy New Year.
Regards,
Vinay
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