Bawana Resettlement Colony

Public Hearing on Sanitation

19 March 2008

Sanitation is one of the major issues that Bawana has faced since the eviction of the residents in 2004. Keeping in view of the problems, Jagori Mahila Nagrik Hak Nigrani Samiti organised a Public Hearing on the issue of sanitation and how women and children are facing problems due to it.

Venue: Jhanda Chowk, Bawana J.J. Venue: Jhanda Chowk, Bawana J.J. Colony,Delhi Colony,Delhi

Slogan:Slogan:

Swach rehen sehen- suraksha hamariSwach rehen sehen- suraksha hamari

Hamari suraksha- prashasan ki Hamari suraksha- prashasan ki jimmedarijimmedari

Pamphlet distributed for the Public Hearing

Panel Members Area Councillor MLA Representative from MCD

Issues Raised…

Water scarcity in Ladies toiletsNo proper cleaning in the toiletsProblem of Paid toiletsClosure of toilets at 10pmUnsafe environment for womenProblems in accessibility of women/girls to

the facilities providedCleaning of drainsDearth of dustbins in the areaSpread of diseasesCareless approach of the authorities

One of the residents of Bawana stated that the One of the residents of Bawana stated that the government has opened Sulabh toilets in the locality government has opened Sulabh toilets in the locality for which each family has to pay 10 to 15 Rupees for which each family has to pay 10 to 15 Rupees everyday. He exclaimed that they cannot afford one everyday. He exclaimed that they cannot afford one meal a day, how can they spend on toilets? Hence the meal a day, how can they spend on toilets? Hence the people have no option rather than to use the streets people have no option rather than to use the streets for bathing and latrine.for bathing and latrine.

Another person said that there are some empty areas Another person said that there are some empty areas which are allotted for parks but even they are filled which are allotted for parks but even they are filled with garbage as there are only 5 garbage points of with garbage as there are only 5 garbage points of which people only use 3. Also, the garbage is not which people only use 3. Also, the garbage is not picked up by the authorities regularly which has led to picked up by the authorities regularly which has led to its overflow.its overflow.

The area superintendent present in the meeting regretted about the condition and blamed the localites on not co-operating with the MCD officials. He suggested to

have another public hearing with the higher officials.

Course of the meeting

Mass participation from the people of Bawana People came up with problems There were almost equal number of men and women

who came to speak about the issue. The residents raised many questions during the hearing

and asked for redressal from the MCD authorities MCD representative addressed their problems. A photo exhibition on sanitation in Bawana was also

conducted.

ConclusionConclusionThe authorities and the people of Bawana came

out with certain suggestions to maintain a clean and safe environment in the area.

These are: Establishment of groups in each block so that

the problems of each and every individual can be taken care of.

These groups can register complaints if any and also look after the documentation of these complaints for future use.

Some preparatory work should be done for solving these problems. People should participate in the Jagori Nagrik Hak Samiti meeting to discuss these problems.

The residents should keep a check on the authorities and be in regular contact with the officials.

The localites should keep a check on their surroundings and come together to raise their voices against any injustice committed by the authorities.

To send a letter to the higher officials to raise the number of dustbins and sweepers in the locality.

The localites should co-operate with the authorities and keep their surroundings clean.

Follow-upFollow-up

The Public Hearing provided a platform to the Bawana inhabitant s to The Public Hearing provided a platform to the Bawana inhabitant s to meet the authorities on a one to one to basis. It helped them in meet the authorities on a one to one to basis. It helped them in addressing their problems and find efficient solutions for the same.addressing their problems and find efficient solutions for the same.

It was also a podium to recognise their rights and how they can stand It was also a podium to recognise their rights and how they can stand for them and fight against any injustices.for them and fight against any injustices.

The sanitation issues have been efficiently taken into consideration by The sanitation issues have been efficiently taken into consideration by the authorities and effective steps have been taken in this regard.the authorities and effective steps have been taken in this regard.

Jagori members also keep a check and take actions if any discrepancy Jagori members also keep a check and take actions if any discrepancy is noticed.is noticed.