The concept of an RWA is nothing new. It has been around for quite some time now. Initially, RWAs were only seen in metropolitan cities but off late even residential colonies located in small towns have their RWAs. RWA is a voluntary/elected body of residents formed to act as a mediator or facilitator between the residents and Government and civic agencies. As in any democratic set-up, there are all kinds of people, and such is the case in RWAs also. Most office bearers of the RWA work selflessly for the welfare of the sector but there are some individuals everywhere who do not adhere to the norms and standards and ultimately the sufferers are the residents. Any given individual has his or her capabilities and limitations and an ideal RWA representative knows when his limitations start getting in the way of working and it’s time to pass on the baton to someone else but what happens when this does not happen?
Residents of sector 40 are witnessing something along these above lines. A group of residents have formed a sector welfare group and are urging other residents to join them. They allege that the existing RWA is working on its whims and fancies and the residents are suffering. They believe that the current RWA has manipulated documents and announced elections with limited and closed group circulation of invalid minutes of the meeting which is against the bye-laws. According to the sector welfare group, the RWA circulated the minutes citing the approval of 30 members who in reality were not present and the RWA is manipulating the attendance register. Many residents say that the RWA which has remained in office for four continuous years does not enjoy the confidence of the residents and is resorting to manipulations to remain in power by swapping the position of office bearers amongst themselves. The sector welfare group says that the ultimate power rests with the residents and they must come forward to correct the wrong, whoever it may be. They also invite residents to come forward and volunteer in forming a new RWA that enjoys the mandate of the residents and people who can give time to the sector, unlike the office bearers of the current RWA. The residents say that they do not have any animosity with the RWA and have supported them in the past but now the residents are suffering due to the inability or inaction of the RWA. The residents also feel that any issue of the sector should be resolved amicably without the involvement of law enforcement agencies. The sector welfare group has also announced that a GBM will be called shortly and residents are encouraged to attend the GBM.
Residents must now come forward and choose what’s best for them after weighing in all their options carefully.
