public meet... JAWABDYA

On Saturday, 6 October, Agni alongwith 9 other organizations had called a JAWABDYA public meeting at SMPS school at night. Agni coordinator Mr. Laxmidas Thakker who is a very prominent social worker of Mulund, and treated with great respect by Citizens and politicians was the main moving spirit for the meeting. He told the audience that he had personally written and talked to the eighteen Corpororators of Mulund-Bhandup to invite them to come to the meeting to meet Citizens on the Crawford market issue. Though about six had indicated that they would come, only Shri Mhaske,- of BJP,- had come. The other Corporator present was Shri Mohsin Haider of SP, from Andheri. This shows that Corporators who come for our votes, are unable to even come face to face with Citizens.

Former Commissioner Shri Sukhthankar presided and Mr. Gerson Da’cunha was also present to guide the meeting. Shri Mhaske first declared that he accepted that the decision was bad. He said he had to follow the orders of his party leaders. He accepted that Corruption was the reason for this proposal being passed. As Citizens questioned closely, he promised to write to his party leaders to ask for any rational explanation.

He agreed that he was embarrassed by the close questions being asked by Citizens about his conduct.

Shri Mohsin Haider disarmed the audience by thanking them for not tearing his clothes for the treachery in which the Corporators were all involved. He admitted that his party had wrongly supported this proposal and said he was publicly apologizing for it. He said that as atonement.for its mistake the SP had asked for the proposal to be reopened. He stated that the proposal could be reconsidered by the Corporation after three months. If adequate Public pressure was brought, it could force a change in the decision. He also suggested that since under Section 520(b), the CM had the power to overrule any decision of the Corporation which leads to loss of Public money, Citizens should write to the CM asking him to invoke his powers. Shri Haider said it was necessary for Citizens to defend their money and interests, otherwise the Corporators would continue with their Corrupt actions.

Mr. Sukhthankar,-former Chief Secretary and Municipal Commissioner,- also exhorted the audience to become vigilant for their interests and ensure that the Corporators are individually held accountable. He expressed surprise and dismay at the blatant corruption which this episode had displayed.

Many more meetings are being planned by Bombay Catholic Sabha, PCGT, Agni,

H-west ward, Mahiti Adhikar Manch, Janhit Manch and many other organizations.

A true Citizen’s movement is beginning to stir. It will exercise for the Sovereignty of the Citizen and enforce the accountability of their elected representatives.

shailesh gandhi

7 October, 2007.