This story is from November 30, 2015

Noida RWAs demand legal validity

In the wake of recent cancellation of panchayat polls by the state government for Gautam Budh Nagar, a proposal to a create village development welfare association with legal validity is being considered by the state government for the villages of Gautam Budh Nagar.
Noida RWAs demand legal validity
NOIDA: In the wake of recent cancellation of panchayat polls by the state government for Gautam Budh Nagar, a proposal to a create village development welfare association with legal validity is being considered by the state government for the villages of Gautam Budh Nagar.
In this context most city RWAs of Noida namely sectors 15, 19, 26, 27, 31, 35, 40, 41, 46, 48, 50, 53, 55, 56 have demanded that a similar legal validity be extended to the city counterparts (the sector RWAs of Noida and Greater Noida) on the lines of village welfare body.

A letter to that effect has been sent by sector 19 RWA president to district administration and chief secretary of UP over the weekend. In this, the individual sector RWAs have the backing of RWA federation body FONRWA. “We have sent a letter to district magistrate Gautam Budh Nagar and chief secretary of Uttar Pradesh demanding legal authority for sector RWAs of both Noida and Greater Noida on the lines of proposed village development welfare association,” said Rishipal Singh, president RWA sector 19.
Calling the move a long pending demand of RWAs the move was welcomed by all resident welfare associations. “RWAs getting recognition with legal sanctity will prove to be a milestone in their functioning and reach,” said Rajeev Chaudhary, general secretary RWA sector 35.
While Sudhir Sood, joint secretary RWA sector 44 welcomed the move, the demand was earlier raised this year by the Federation of Noida Residents Welfare Associations (FONRWA) and Confederation of All Residents' Welfare Association (CARWA).
From raising the matter with chief minister Akhilesh Yadav to Union minister of urban development M Venkaiah Naidu and even the prime minster Narendra Modi, CARWA had been impressing the legal sanctity of RWAs on every public platform.

According to N P Singh, president CARWA, it’s a well-known fact that in almost every urban city of India, RWAs have been formed for looking after civic amenities, developmental and welfare activities in their localities, blocks, sectors, cities. They've played an important and pivotal role with regard to the developmental and welfare activities in urban areas. "It’s therefore important that for the proper functioning of RWAs, they be given legal recognition and empowerment," said Singh.
Singh further adds that while rural areas, in pursuance of the Constitution (73rd) Amendment Act 1992, got legal sanction for Gram Sabhas and constitution of village panchayats, in respect to urban areas, similar provisions in pursuance of Constitution (74th) Amendment Act, 1992, have not yet been enforced.
Hence according to CARWA democratically elected RWAs in urban cities, should get due recognition on the lines of Gram Sabhas and Village Panchayats of the rural areas.
End of Article
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA