Mumbai: ‘Corporators care about party, not public’

File pic

Most activists who take on the powers that be to improve civic infrastructure and citizens' living conditions feel that corporators, and public representatives in general, are more interested in reaping benefits for themselves than in public issues.

They believe that though corporators are helpful in solving small issues, they lack vision, are bound by their party's agenda or have vested interests when it comes to major problems or policy matters.

Gone are the days when activists took to the streets to protest against the authorities. New-age activists mainly depend upon innovative tools like the Right to Information Act, helplines and social media to put pressure on officials. mid-day speak to some activists to understand whether corporators are helpful as the latter are responsible for solving public issues.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation headquarters on June 23, 2023. File pic/Ashish Raje

Mumtaj Sheikh, an activist based in Mankhurd, Govandi, said, "In the past year and a half, it did not feel like there was no corporator. Earlier, all power was concentrated in the hands of one person and people went to them to solve not only civic issues but also their family problems. A letter from the corporator was even needed to get an Aadhaar card and get admission to schools. But now people realise that there are other options. They can approach the BMC, fill up a form and register a complaint. They will get a response within a week or so."

She added, "Some residents used to go to the corporator but those who are wise now opt for the administrative procedure."

Mumtaj said even when they approached councillors, a few from the same locality took the initiative to solve their issues but outsider corporators were reluctant.

Mumtaj Sheikh, activist, Anil Galgali and Trivankumar Karnani

Mandeep Singh Makkar, founder member, Chandivli Citizens Welfare Association (CCWA), has an unfavourable opinion of corporators. "Corporators have never represented the people. They have their own agendas and are here to run their own businesses and make money rather than serve citizens. Most footpath encroachments and illegal slum constructions are carried out with the blessings of corporators."

He added, "I think BMC is a little better without corporators. At least now citizens can openly point out the shortcomings of the civic body. Earlier, people used to fear political parties and corporators."

CCWA is an association of residents and offices in newly developed towers in Chandivli and they have been fighting for encroachment-free roads and footpaths in their area as well as the construction of a road as per the development plan. Members alleged that the local corporator and MLA are turning a blind eye to slum dwellers' illegal activities as they are their vote-bank.

Dhaval Shah and Godfrey Pimenta

Godfrey Pimenta, an activist, alleged that not only corporators but also civic officials do not follow the rules. "The majority of corporators have become rich by unlawful means. The same yardstick applies to BMC officials. The whole system of civic governance needs drastic changes," he said.

Trivankumar Karnani, activist, Mumbai North Central District Forum (MNCDF), said that corporators are a link between people and administration and they can solve issues but added that after activists make a few complaints, their attitude towards them turns negative.

However, not all civic activists have an entirely poor opinion of corporators as some councillors are efficient.

Dhaval Shah, founder of Lokhandwala Oshiwara Citizens Association, considers corporators a somewhat good link with regard to big decisions like constructing roads and bridges and civic issues such as water supply. "Apart from this, the absence of corporators has not made a very big difference as we used to liaise with officials directly," he said.

Anil Galgali, a civic activist, said, "Corporators have their own agenda as well as that of their party. But after the first heavy rains, the slum population missed their corporators as the latter were used to stand at the spots and clear gutters and look at the garbage issue. The administration needs to pay attention to public participation. When the citizens are directly involved, the administration will immediately realise the facts and the true situation."

He added that if the BMC allotted corporators' funds to MLAs, it is their duty to see that the public does not face any inconvenience.

"A corporator has 50,000 to 55,000 people in his or her constituency and knows many voters personally. MLAs, however, have at least 3 to 4 lakh constituents and it is a bit difficult to look into all the civic issues," he said.

Tweet talk

@rajivsharma2012:
Most corporators are quite useless in their work. Many of them are behind illegal activities like encroachment of public spaces. The city seems to be doing quite well without them. Plus we are saving on their salaries and many, many perks. We don't need them.

@ChandivaliCCWA:
All the mess you see around you, including encroachments on footpaths, is due to the blessings of corporators. We conducted an online poll asking people if corporators voiced their civic issues and if they missed them. 85% of people say they don't miss the corporators

@viveksah:
If municipal authorities do their work diligently we don't need to go to politicians to get our work done. The problem is no one is held accountable for work not done. Fine, suspend, demote, sack if employees don't work. I am sure there will be others willing to take up the job

@Vishal1296:
People in slums are the only ones who need corporators, they're missing their freebies

@sumoric:
A city like Mumbai has the population of many small countries concentrated in a tiny area needs order and discipline. Slums and encroachments are a sign of indiscipline and disorder which can choke the life of a city. We need wise corporators who can bring order to chaos

@IndCity12:
Corporators are not needed. They are uneducated, unsophisticated