Will non-political aspirants provide a better alternative?

Pune Nagarik Sanghatana (PNS) has named its first 5 candidates who will contest the upcoming civic polls. The forum, inspired by Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption movement, will ensure that the electorate gets better public services at less cost. Speak Up explores

We will maintain transparency in tender procedures
I will be contesting the PMC election, 2012, from Pune Nagrik Sanghatana. We are supported by Ex-Servicemen’s Association, Lohegaon and other ex-servicemen organisations in the city.

My aim is to provide a corrupt-free and transparent system for the citizens of the city. We shall work on the feedback and suggestions we receive from the ward sabha, which we will hold every three months for the public works. We will maintain transparency in all the tender procedures and form a public monitoring team in order to keep an eye on the quality and proceedings of the public work we undertake.  

Since the ward that I represent is situated near the defence area, it is necessary to work for its development, keeping the security in mind.   

There are many problems in our ward like poor water supply and drainage system. The bad state of drainage system in our area is causing health problems.

-- Binod Kumar Ojha, Ex-Serviceman & general secretary, Ex-Servicemen’s Association (Panel-1)

My aim is to demand cost-effective public services for citizens
If I get elected in the upcoming civic polls then my first job would be to improve the PMPML bus frequency in my ward. There are so many students from our area who commute by bus to attend schools and colleges and have to dangerously travel in overcrowded buses.

I want to start a tree plantation drive in my area so it will be an example for others to follow and implement it gradually for the whole city. I also want to work on the proper garbage disposal and recycling process of our city.

The water supply in our city is also very unstable, with some areas getting excess while others face shortage. I want to remove this disparity. I also want to demand for a big government hospital in our area at Dhankavdi so that people from adjoining rural areas too can avail treatment. 

My main aim will be to demand cost-effective public services for our citizens. The public must get good services at less cost. Even if we don’t get elected, we will still strive to work for the public benefit through PNS.  

-- Bhairu Chowgule, appointed member, Prabhag Samiti, Dhankavdi (Panel-24)

Dirty water seeps into the drinking water pipeline
A major part of the ward that I am representing is slum area and the slum dwellers are facing many problems. The biggest problem is becoming homeless.

The Slum Rehabilitation Project, initiated by the government, has a clause that states that only those who can show residence proof of staying before 1995 will get houses, and those after 1995, will have to vacate them. This clause will make 50% of slum dwellers homeless. If I get elected, my focus will be to tackle this issue.

The other problems that slums face are of garbage, which is cleaned by PMC only once or twice in a month. The drainage system is often clogged and dirty water seeps into drinking water pipeline. There are only 4 public toilets for the population of over 1,000 slum dwellers, with women facing the biggest problem.

All these problems are leading to slum dwellers living in very unhygienic conditions. On top of this, there is only one PMC-run dispensary, wherein only one doctor is available for 2 hours daily. I want to resolve all these problems. 

-- Raisa Shaikh, activist, Rights of Slum Dwellers (Panel-66)

Public money is wasted on unnecessary projects
The big problem with Pune Municipal Corporation is that it completely runs on commission basis, which is revenue generated from all types of taxes. I feel PMC’s dependency on funds coming from taxes must be stopped. Presently, there is lot of wastage of public money on unnecessary projects. The roads are dug without any reason. I will run the various public works through ward sabha and keep people’s decision in mind before starting the work. I will also work towards bringing public schools under e-learning.

-- Sameer Indalkar, supervisor, Alfa Laval Ltd, (Panel-58)

The present octroi system in the city is corrupt
The root problem is evasion of octroi in Pune and my first focus would be to stop that and increase the revenue for the Municipal Corporation. Over Rs1,200 crore revenue is generated per year through octroi. I would also concentrate on finding an alternative solution to generate revenue. Also, with plans for a metro rail project the big question is does the PMC has funds to build it? If not, is it going to borrow from the state or Centre? Another issue is finding a solution for our city’s garbage
disposal and recycling process.

-- Sunil Jagtap, advocate & secretary of Pune Bar Association (Panel-39)     

It is compulsory for elected candidates to conduct one ward sabha every three months
At PNS, our criteria for candidates are that they should have a clean background with no criminal records and some social work experience. We also take a promise from the candidates that they will attend minimum 90% of PMC general body meetings. For better governance, it is compulsory for elected candidates to conduct one ward sabha every three months. Regarding public development works, PNS candidates will give priority to citizens’ suggestions and work accordingly. The PNS candidates will
also be responsible to bring in clean and transparent process in the PMC administration.    

-- Vivek Velankar, co-ordinator, Pune Nagarik Sanghatana