Is PARWA EC a truly representative body of residents?

After the results of PARWA EC election were announced by CEO, I had posted the following observation in a post (CLICK TO READ):
"Positions of some block representatives are still vacant. If new EC is going to nominate these representatives then I will like to put up a note of caution. Do not nominate people convenient to you and your group. Nominate people who can make a positive contribution and act as true representative of the residents of their respective blocks.
A representative of tenants has also to be nominated. Similar caution as for block representatives. Form the new directory, I find that there are 41 tenants. This is a big number. EC should organize a meeting of all these tenants and find out their choice and nominate their choice as their representative. Such a tenant can make a positive contribution and act as true representative of the tenants."

Above vacancies have been filled up by EC. It is unfortunate that President, Secretary and other members of EC have failed to change the old practice of nominating representatives without consulting the respective group of residents.

Minutes of new EC meetings held so far have not been shared with residents. Here also the old practice of convenience should change. Residents have a right to know what their representative body is doing, so that they can express their views on the decisions taken by EC. Waiting for six monthly GB meeting to express their views is undesirable. Six months period is quite a long period. If any wrong decision has been taken by EC then six months will be wasted before a correction is made.

There should be a proper work distribution between members of EC and this should be notified.

Blocks and tenants representatives should hold meetings with the residents whom they represent and prepare a list of issues residents want them to address in EC.

I am shortly writing to my block representative. I will also write to the other block representative of 'C' group.

Let us make this EC a true representative of residents of Pragati Apartments.

How effectively residents' representatives are representing them?

Not very effectively is my cnsidered opinion. Residents' representatives hardly behave as representatives. They come and sit in EC meeting and leave as per their convenience. Block representatives hardly have meetings with residents in their blocks before any EC meeting or GB meeting. During my brief association with PARWA EC, I have never seen any block representative raising any specific issue relating to residents of their respective blocks. Same is the case with tenants' representative.

In PARWA EC meetings, only issues raised by President and Secretary are discussed. Members have different opinions but a pre-decided opinion of President and Secretary is forced on all. This is dome in the name of showing consensous on every issue. Few times I have asked for voting but everybody felt offended by it. Even it was not accepted to record ny opinion. Minutes are recorded by Secretary and approved by President. They are not circulated to other members for their comments. In next EC meeting, these minutes are read by the Secretary and that is all. I tried to introduce some system in conduct of EC meetings, recording of minutes, circulating them to members for their comments on the accuracy of recording of decisions, but failed. Ultimately I resigned from EC.

There should be a well thought out agenda for each EC meeting. Two additional items should be included in the agenda - one, issues raised by block representatives and two, issues raised by tenant's representative. In my opinion, tenants' representative should also be elected. Present system of nominating a representative of tenants is not effective at all. I wonder if many tenants even know who is their representative.

Next PARWA EC should improve its working and make it more effective and efficient. It should be transparent. It should be interactive.

Publish your election manifesto

PARWA elections have been announced. Behind-the-door parleys have started. Are you a contestent? If yes, then have you prepared your manifesto - a public declaration of intentions.

Your manifesto should contain following declarations:
a) Why do you want to contest?
b) What are your long-term and short-term programmes relating to welfare of the residents of Pragati Apartments?
c) Have you ever served in PARWA EC? If yes, then what have been your achievements?
d) If you are elected, then will you work as representative/trustee of the residents or as malik/sarkar of Pragati Apartments?
e) Do you believe in transparency in working? If yes, then how do you propose to bring transparency in the working of PARWA EC?
f) What is your opinion on using PARWA employees for personal work?
g) Will you work to ensure that PARWA employees are paid minimum wages and other facilities as per the law of the land? If yes, then how do you propose to go about it?
h) Do you believe that PARWA EC should work as a team? If yes then how will you ensure to instill team spirit in PARWA EC members?
i) Are you a member of any group having conflicting interests in PARWA affairs? If no then how will you ensure to remain unaffected by group politics in PARWA?

Please publish your manifesto including above points and send it to me for uploading on the blog. You may also send your photo.

Let us have a transparent election this time.
Let us celeberate this year as "PARWA Year Of Transparent Working".

Election to PARWA EC on 23 May 2010

A circular has been issued on 20 April 2010 by Shri Nafe Singh (Flat No. 273) as CHief Election Officer for next election to PARWA EC. As per the circular, PARWA EC in its meeting on 11.04.2010 had nominated Shri Nafe Singh (Flat No. 273) as Chief Election Officer who, in his work, will be assisted by Dr. B S Rao (Flat No.95), Dr. V P Aggarwal (Flat No. 133) and Shri T D Soni (Flat No. 255). The election to PARWA EC has been scheduled to be held on 23 May 2010.

Eligibility to vote and contest

All residents (alotees, POA holders, tenants)who have paid subscription and other dues up to quarter ending on 31 March 2010 by/before 30 April 2010.
Note 1 - What are other dues ? I have no idea.
Note 2 - If a member has paid above subscription and other dues after 30 April 2010, will he/she be eligble to vote and/or contest?

Election schedule

a) Receipt of nominations - 04 May - 07 May (7 PM to 8.30 PM)
b) Scrutiny of nominations - 09 May (Sunday - 8 PM)
c) Display of list of contestants - 10 May (Monday - 8 PM)
d) Withdrawal of nominations - 14 May (Friday - 8 PM)
e) Final list displayed - 15 May (Saturday - 8 PM)
f) Voting, if required - 23 May (Sunday - 9 AM to 1 PM)
g) Declaration of results - 23 May (5 PM)

Use this election as a Change Agent.
Nominate only first/second timers.
Those who have served for two or more terms, do not disturb them and let them take rest.
Nominate younger people.
Do not encourage any groupism.
Elect your representatives to serve you.
Do not elect those who think that they are elected to rule.

Does President PARWA own Pragati Apartments?

Today I had a heated discussion. It was 1:5. I,one on one side and they were five on the pther side. I shouted at them and they shouted at me. Some serious issues emerged out of the heated discussion.

A resident said that President PARWA is owner of the Pragati Apartments (प्रधानजी मालिक हैं प्रगति अपार्टमेन्ट के). I said no, he is a representative of the residents. The resident further said that President is the Sarkar of Pragati Apartments (प्रधानजी सरकार हैं प्रगति अपार्टमेन्ट की). I again said no, he is the representative of the residents.

Another point came out - security gaurds are owned by Vice-president (सुरक्षा कर्मचारी उपप्रधान के आदमी हैं). I said no, they are the employees of PARWA.

This is a dangerous mind set. If representatives start thinking that they are the owners or sarkar of the apartments then it is not a good sign for PARWA.

Let us discuss it. President, Vice-president and Secretary should come out what they think about it. Do they consider themselves as representatives of the residents or owners of the apartments?