The Aam Aadmi Party government’s election promise of Swaraj (public participation in decision making) came closer to reality after the Cabinet cleared the proposal to form mohalla sabhas in all 70 Assembly constituencies on Thursday.
It took the Delhi government one year of coordination with experts to identify 2,972 mohalla sabhas in its bid to empower people and encourage local participation in governance. Last year, the government had introduced the concept as a pilot project in 11 constituencies. This year, it has been expanded to all parts of the Capital.
Detailed ground work
“We conducted a detailed ground survey for the delimitation of mohalla sabhas based on inputs from locals, public representatives and officials about the area. It was according to this that mohalla sabhas were demarcated,” said a spokesperson of the Delhi government.
Each mohalla was mapped using a Geographic Information System (GIS) with data being collected during the ground survey. The Delhi government has earmarked Rs. 350 crore as Swaraj fund for the mohalla sabhas, which will be distributed equally. “The sabhas will also have a say in deciding where to spend the MLA fund of Rs. 4 crore,” the spokesperson added.
The function of these local bodies will be to coordinate with different government agencies with regard to execution of developmental works, help in efficient execution of social schemes and taking up local issues.
Quarterly reviews
“Schools, anganwadis, ration shops will be made accountable to mohalla sabhas,” said the spokesperson. To keep a check on the functioning of these bodies, quarterly performance reviews will be organised at the mohalla level. All registered voters will be members.
“The government has also signed an MoU with Janaagraha, a Bangalore-based organisation specializing in citizen participation platforms, for the development of a dedicated software to ensure the mohalla sabhas function digitally,” said the spokesperson.
Two coordinators will be appointed for each sabha, who will be locals, to coordinate with executing agencies. All development projects finalised through the sabhas will be executed by the Delhi Urban Development Authority (DUDA).
