Dwarka Forum

Sunday 21 September, 2008

Dwarkaites salute to Mohan Chand Sharma

Dwarka Forum and Dwarka Parichay dedicate blog to Shahid Maohan Chand Sharma resident of Om Satyam Apartments, Plot No 13, Sector 4, Dwarka. You can write your condolence message for Shahid Mohan Chand Sharma- the brave son of India by clicking the link below:http://mohanchandsharma.blogspot.com/(Please click on the COMMENTS)We appreciate you will share this link with your dear ones, friends, neighbours and contacts.

Dwarkaites salute the brave son of the Nation.

May his soul rest in peace.

DWARKA FORUM

"DIL SE NIKLEGI, NA MAR KAR BHI, VATAN KI ULFET, MERI MITTEE SE BHI KHUSHBU-E-VATAN AAYEGI." Advocate Ashok Chaitanya

Thursday 14 August, 2008

Dwarka residents oppose DDA’s plans to build megacities

http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/14/stories/2008081457090400.htm

Smriti Kak Ramachandran
‘First provide amenities to the existing settlements’
NEW DELHI: A mega township and some villages have joined forces to oppose the Delhi government’s move to add five new townships to the city.
The Dwarka Forum — a collective of residents from residential complexes and the Dwarka Kshetra Gram Sangathan (DKGK), a group of 20 villages — have asked the DDA to put on hold its expansion plans, keeping in view the depleting water table and the shrinking water sources.
“Dwarka does not even get half of the water that it should. Villages around Dwarka are dependent on tube-well water. There is no piped-water from the Delhi Jal Board for them and they are forced to use unfit tube-well water. It is impractical to think of increasing the city limits,” said Diwan Singh, a member of the Dwarka Forum.
“We have put forth our concerns to the objections hearing committee of the DDA. Vikram Soni of the National Physical Laboratory challenged the basis for increasing the carrying capacity in these expansion plans. The carrying capacity has to be decided by the water availability. Laying water and sewage networks, building roads, flyovers and other such works are within the scope of developing agencies, but the availability of water is not in their control . Hence, the carrying capacity of the city can only be increased if there is sufficient water availability,” said Mr. Singh.
Suraj Bhan of DKGK complained that the groundwater level in their villages have gone down by almost 100 feet in the past 10 years. They said it was unjust that there was no means of filtered water supply in the villages.
The government has proposed the setting up of mega townships in North Delhi, South of Vasant Kunj, in Nangloi between Rohtak Road in the North and Dwarka in the West, in Najafgarh area and in North-West Delhi between Rohini and Haryana.

FIR Registration made MANDATORY

Section 154 (1) of the Cr.P.C. mandates the officer incharge of a police station to register the FIR on receipt of any information relating to the commission of a cognizable offence. If the police officer refuses to register the FIR the victim/ complainant/ informant need to inform the substance of the crime to the DCP concerned in writing sent through registered letter and in that case the DCP either himsel would investigate the matter or should direct any of his subordiante to investigate the same. However, even if the DCP too does not take any action on the information, the complainant/victim/informant may file the Criminal Complaint under section 156 (3) of Cr.P.C. before the concerned Metropolitan Magistrate and the MM would pass an order to register the FIR and take the action thereon.

Every coin has two sides. If the commission of any congnizable offence is either reported to police or the police comes to know the commission of a congnizable offence, it is under legal obligation to register the FIR. The investigating machinery shall come into motion only after the registration of an FIR. Whether the reported offence is true or false can only be ascertained when the matter is investigated. However, the fear of misuse of any law is always there but then there is remedial law meant to deal with such designed reports. If after investigation or even after the completion of trial either the police or the trial court comes to the conclusion that the FIR./ complaint was designed and concocted, the informer or complainant can be prosecuted under the provisions of indian penal code.

Normally police refuses to register the FIR with two reasons. First, it would reduce the crime graph of the concerned area under the specific police officer responsible to check on the crimes. Secondly, the moment FIR is registered, the Investigating Officer under the supervision of SHO concerned and other higher police officials would be compelled to take the lawful action and would be required to maintain the different kinds of records/diaries/ registers etc. He would also be answerable before the court and would be subjected to severe cross examination by the advocates during the recording of evidences before the trial courts.

Now, imagine, if a refusal to register an FIR is held to be lawful on the ground of apprehension of misuse of the same by persons with vested interest, how can the same be justified to the victime? If we support to the notion that the police should have the power to decide whether to register the FIR or not, then how can v expect that even a single FIR would be registered keeping in view the working style of Indian Police? A victim has right to have the justice and for that it is necessary that the information of a cognizable offence is registered as FIR then only any action thereon can be taken and the crime perpetrators can be brought to books.
There is a legal maxim, "justice should not only be done but it should also seen to be done."

I take this opportunity to inform the learned members of this forum that any genuine victime of a crime may anytime call me up if his/her FIR is not registered in the Police Station. I on behalf of Dwarka Forum would make sure that the FIR is registered. Be it known to every one that an FIR can be registered only in cases of cognizable offences and NOT in case of non-cognizable offences.

With best regards,

Ashok ChaitanyaAdvocate, Supreme Court of India,
Cell No. 9811638615 / 9868512176

Wednesday 13 August, 2008

Dwarka wants water before its expansion

New Delhi, August 12 Locals come together against the new zonal plan, say they have been shortchanged
Residents of parched Dwarka are up in arms against the DDA. They have started a movement against any further expansion of the subcity before its basic facilities are in place. People from various villages and group housing societies have joined hands to demand a halt on further development plans by the DDA, when basic infrastructure is missing.
While the subcity has been reeling under severe water crisis ever since it came up, civic agencies have been passing the buck.

Members of Dwarka Forum, an umbrella body of various Dwarka RWAs and the Dwarka Kshetra Gram Sangathan, on Tuesday met the DDA vice chairperson and voiced objection to its New Zonal Plan, which opens up Dwarka zone for further expansion.
“We’ve submitted our objections and suggestions to the DDA with regard to the Dwarka Zonal plan, as we have serious reservations,” said environmentalist Diwan Singh, on behalf of the forum.

“Dwarka subcity was ill-conceived in the first place. While approving its water scheme, the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) did not assure it would supply potable water. Scores of villages here are largely dependent on groundwater, which cannot last very long,” said Singh. These problems were voiced on Tuesday during a hearing conducted by the objections and suggestions committee of the DDA.

Diwan Singh and P S Singh (convenors, water sub-committee) attended the hearing as representatives of Dwarka Forum. “We objected to the fact that even after the DJB refused to commit to any filtered water supply, the DDA went ahead with the construction of Dwarka subcity. We have also handed over a copy of the reply received under the Right To Information Act from the DJB, stating their refusal to commit to water supply for the Dwarka and Vasant Kunj projects. This is nothing but sheer irresponsible behaviour on part of the DDA. It went ahead with its urbanising plans, though potable water was missing,” said P S Singh.

“If the government is adamant on further expansion, it should only happen after the existing residents of the city are able to get sufficient water supply on a sustained basis,” he added.
Dwarka villagers, on their part, complained that it was unjust on part of the DDA to give filtered water to Dwarka, leaving the original inhabitants of the area at the mercy of tubewells, which now yield brackish water.

“The groundwater level in our villages has gone down alarmingly, almost a 100 feet in last 10 years, while the salinity renders it almost unusable. The level of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) has gone up from 1,500 to 2000, whereas the normal level should be 150 TDS,” said Suraj Bhan, convenor of the Dwarka Kshetra Gram Sangathan, from village Dhul Siras.
“Filtered water supply should first be made available to villagers and only after that to Dwarka or any other colony,” said Raj Karan from village Badu Sarai.
http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Dwarka-wants-water-before-its-expansion/348085/

अबाउट द्वारका Forum

1. What is the mission behind DF?
To dream of a Sub-City in its all means and make it happen. Its primary objective is to Network Residents/RWA/CGHS of Dwarka and Media. It’s primarily working on dissemination of information, encourage people to fight for the larger common cause, and generally raise awareness among residents to live as role model citizens for the rest of the colonies.
Mission of the forum is to make Dwarka an ideal township in terms of its resources, amenities and its judicious distribution among the users. We aim to make it an ideal Home for its residents if not the Best place for living as that is a subjective term that may have commercial implications making it also an abode of land-brokers and investment owners.. We know it is the biggest colony of Asia but we have to make it BEST in all terms of quality living. Now shall we define what BEST Quality of living is?
First of all cleanliness and hygienic surroundings now just in front of our homes but in all streets and avenues of dwarka which means either making the civic authorities (DDA/MCD) do a 100% job or delegate or create another body to do a 100% job. There is no substitute for 100% job done look at quality of the Delhi Cantt area or any Cantt zones of country
A crime free zone or a no tolerance zone: Prevention & stubbing crime in its nascent stage when it is just eve teasing, pick pocketing, rowdy behaviors before it grows into a monster uncontrollable by any agency – this prevention starts from family upbringing, neighborhood civic sense etc.
Traffic management and smooth internal commuting for residents
Smooth & productive functioning of civic offices like courts/ corporation/
Complete data base of its residents that means merging of the individual RWAs directories into one large server based databank. I always feel that each RWA apart from making resident directory should also include a column of his profession. This could be very useful to people living in remote sectors
A reading room or library is various sectors/zones where peacefully people can sit and read. Adjacent to that could be a coffee house or chat room where people can debate and peacefully discuss issues under the sun.
Like this so many aspects of better living may be suggested, above are just few.
2. How does it work?
Riding on the communication channel of Internet, it is an online BLOGGERS’ group and has begun to shape up as the VOICE of Dwarka. But very soon as the member base is growing it may also be formed into SHAPE OF A BODY IN THE EYES OF LAW (a regd. Society).
3. What is the area of its working?
Mainly it concern Dwarka Sub-city. However, while exercising its voice it also acts as a forum for the mass of law abiding, peacefully living & deserving citizens of NCT Delhi and the Nation who only expect and give fairness in all walks of life.
Its area of working though it is limited to Dwarka only but since some of the general issues are almost touching the entire nation, hence we sympathize and support similar groups in other areas on those issues also.

4. How is it useful for the residents of Dwarka?
Mainly it helps residents as NETWORKING Platform. Rest as below.
This forum addresses almost all aspects of public utility but we will rather divide it into three more parts:-
Advisory role/ supporting residents in their individual appeals and petitions to the Govt /authorities and helping get their voice heard. Advising and creating awareness among all in leading a quality life
Putting pressure on govt. machinery to resolve the problems by organizing meetings with appropriate Authority. And persistent follow ups to arrive at mutual agreeable decisions.
Collecting information through RTI (Right to Information)/Otherwise to evaluate the ground realities with a view to enable civic agencies to see the viewpoint of the residents and come to a consensus in maintaining dwarka as an ideal township.
5. What are the Achievements since its inception?
Over 4328 messages posted in the group speak the truth about DF.
Strong members’ participation of over 1400+
Through representation with authorities and regular follow-up and RTI resulted in resulting, pending works from DDA/MCD/DJB, etc. got cleared. Rest below

Consistent activism by its legal fraternity members such as Mr Chaitanya & others which has resulted finally in the justice for victims of the Societies’ scandal that has deprived them their rightful homes for years.
It is great achievement that the group has strength of more than 1300 members.
Achievements are many which can be seen in terms of improvement in all around Dwarka. Point-wise
(a) Able to make a strength of more than 1400 people from all walks of life.
(b) Giving much information through various RTIs creating examples for many to further escalate the process of RTI forcing the authorities to take notice of our presence
(c) Established a good relation with media to highlight the issue of Dwarka and creating a data base of pictures and visual evidence to make authorities see their own acts of omission and dereliction of duty
(d) Organizing various meetings to discuss and form public opinions from all quarters of society
(e) Helped maximize the awareness in people to enroll for voter ID card since this is the primary step in forming a significant and powerful presence of ourselves in the eyes of the political bigwigs.

(f) Organized Jan path programme of Delhi Aaj Tak, etc.highlighting the critical issues of the residents
6. Who can join the Forum? Any bonafide resident of Dwarka Sub-City, who abides by the POSTING RULES of the group and work for the betterment of Dwarka. All process and discussions are transparent, interested residents visit the following link; submit his email id for subscription. With single email of message it goes to all members (1400+) and if any one replies it also goes to all.

Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Dwarka-residents?hl=en
The members have the option of subscribing and reading message online, abridged emails of 5 or 25 etc as the option available.
Any person who lives in Dwarka may become a member by just furnishing their e-mail id
7. How effective/ helpful the Forum is?
DF effectiveness is scene all around Dwarka. A visit to the link will tell the TRUE PICTURE, as the comments of members are available online for public.
This is very effective /helpful to one and all but you can take a view of entire members

8. What is the future plan of the Forum?
No specific plan is set by Forum; it works on the demand of the members and Dwarka Sub-City. However to attain our major aim to make dwarka as a role model city, we have to form many task forces to manage different issues but the first one is to make our voice heard in the political circle of Delhi- we must make Dwarka as a single assembly constituency and not a broken down piece of land to suit the malafide intentions of the existing political authorities.
Once we are a political presence, we can make our voices heard and achieve our First objective of making Dwarka an ideal township that fosters quality living for its residents.

9. What is the present Strength of Forum? It has the strength of 1400+ members and growing day by day

10. Who are the Pillars of the Forum? All 1400 members are equally stand as PILLER of this forum and it is looking for more PILLERS to strength. At the same time we would like to mention some members who names stand in the forefront in terms of activities are; Anil Nayal, Pradeep Ivon, M K Gupta, Sushil Kumar, Krishnamurthy, Adv. Ashok, Sunil Sareen, are name few.

11. What is Forum's influence on local representatives (MLA, Councilors, etc.) & local authorities?
Forum or its members have no political aspirations; therefore influencing local rep is not in the dictionary of DF. However constant follow up and building pressure on them to achieve our objectives which are simply improving the public and basic amenities of quality living for which a person works hard all life, pays his dues to the Govt. and expects peaceful and clean environment to encourage and foster creative growth for the good of mankind in general. But usually in our nation, any hardworking law abiding citizens spends all his life fighting with authorities in getting what is his basic and fundamental rights.
We must endeavor to change this system or else life is futile and depressing.
We believe the LR and LA needs to work hard to influence the public (which includes DF) by implementing various works for the area and DF members at their individual discretion of VOTING rights will be decision makers, whenever Elections are held.
It can be asked from them but it is confirmed that they are giving attentions to our demand.

12. What is the significant role of DF, shaping Dwarka a better living place?
If you have already the read the above, just sum up the answer. I think above points gives fare idea.

13. What are the burning topics of Dwarka for which DF fighting for?
(a) Water problem- managing and augmenting the sources, prevent wastage and help to give proper distribution.
(b) Proper Maintenance of Roads and Park and trying to maintain clean and hygienic conditions
(c) Security concerns including crime control and prevention
(d) Recent Delimitation Act. To make dwarka into a single assembly seat.
(e) Transportation, internal commuting, and traffic management
(f) Allotments of CGHS flats- of course with the persistent efforts of the people finally the verdict have come out in our favor and we must ensure that allotments process begins at the appointed time in various societies. Contingency action in case again the allotment process is thwarted by the malicious elements.
(h) Pollution- control of all sorts of pollution and garbage. Excessive noise pollution is also a main element that disturbs the peaceful living of the residents. Control of noise creating functions and events to limit them within reasonable timings and places.
(i) Corruption- This is a national malady affecting all and sundry। Unless we as citizens do not discipline ourselves, we cannot check the rise of this sickness in all agencies around us.
द्वारका फौरम @ जीमेल.कॉम