My previous article on encroachment (Samvada Nov’23 issue) got lot of criticism as well as support from residents. Some citizens found it against the law and some found it innovative.
However, our primary aim was only to keep the implementing agencies on the toes and make them responsible. Critics were of the view that if charges were levied on agencies for encroachment, it will legitimate the encroachment, but our proposal is to penalize Govt. agencies and not the encroachers till the said encroachment is removed.
This is type of inconvenience charge is to be levied on govt by the law-abiding citizens. If we violate the Traffic rules, property tax/ income tax/ GST payments, we get notice and extra penalties are levied on us. Same should also be valid vice versa on Govt agencies. The citizens are always given a raw deal by authorities. The only remedy we feel is court and that too take lots of time and money of citizens while officials get all out support from their departments that too for not performing their legitimate duty. What a strange system we are trapped in, deliberately developed by our Babus and politicians?
This is the right time before the elections that we all create our own People’s Manifesto to be presented to political parties in the upcoming parliament elections. Samvada, request citizens to suggest various points to be included in the People’s manifesto.
