Thinking out of the box, last month, the MCG in a rare move, decided to rope in the RWAs’ to monitor the work of their contractors. Eight teams have been set up, to ensure the desilting and cleaning of sewers and drains across the 35 wards of Gurgaon and to monitor these they have roped in the RWAs’ in the area. The RWAs are to keep a check on the cleanliness of drains and sewers in their respective sectors.
PC Meena, the MCG commissioner, called a meeting on 24th July and mentioned, “There were complaints from a few areas regarding desilting of drains and irregular waste collection. We have asked them to be in touch with private contractors to resolve issues in their respective areas,” he said.”
The officials apparently, have shared a list of contractors with RWAs and asked them to monitor the work of those on the list. “We had directed the joint commissioners to inspect the desilting of drains and submit a report. Water logging in many areas has raised questions about the quality of desilting work carried out by private contractors. If residents themselves are monitoring the work being carried out, they will know what is happening on the ground and be able to resolve issues,” he said.
A satisfactory certificate from three members of the RWA is required to make contractors eligible for payments, said the MCG commissioner.
The residents have welcomed the initiative, as it would make the system transparent and accountable and improve the quality of public services in the sectors.
Hopefully, this would pave the way for many other such resident-official partnerships to make the contractors more accountable.
