Former IAS officer and social activist E.A.S. Sarma has called for enhanced participation of residents’ welfare associations in civic matters to improve quality of life and asked them to demand effective implementation of the amended Act of 2008 for constitution of ward committees and holding of area sabhas.
Though AP Municipal Laws (Second Amendment) Act came into force in 2008, it was mainly legislated to get funds under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Mission (JNNURM), he said while addressing a daylong symposium organised by JR Nagar Residents’ Welfare Association near Venkojipalem.
Andhra University Vice-Chancellor G.S.N. Raju, GITAM University professor S. Ramakrishna Rao, academician G.J.V. Jagannadha Raju and others attended the inaugural. Association president K.S.R. Murthy presided and secretary B. Perumallu Raju proposed a vote of thanks. A souvenir brought out by the association to mark its 20th anniversary was released.
Mr. Sarma complimented the association for holding the symposium on ‘combating the degrading urban environment – role of residents’ welfare associations.’ He said as per the 2008 Act the area sabhas on the lines of gram sabhas should be held regularly to discuss civic issues. He said ward committees should take care of sanitation, garbage disposal and drinking water management.
Urban planning He said residents’ welfare associations had a pivotal role to play in urban planning. Even after implementation of the Polavaram project, the city would be left with severe shortage of water. Slums were mushrooming as the city planners were not taking into consideration the need to provide housing for those migrating to the city for petty jobs. Sanitation and garbage disposal and the need to recycle it and pollution were important issues on which the residents’ associations should focus.
Prof. Ramakrishna Rao said apart from physical health, the mental and social well-being was most important to find out the quality of life in a particular area.
