On going through daily visual and print media, we get regular news of agitation against waste disposal in thickly populated areas of different parts of Kerala. It is a shame for us, Keralites, who boast of the most “clean” and cultured people with hundred percent literacy among other Indian States. In my opinion, what happening in our place is merely political stunts to gain and sustain power and all these agitations are politically motivated for certain individuals or political groups to take advantage of it. If the local Panchayat or Municipal bodies exercise their powers with strong will, such agitations would not have taken place. What they are doing is keeping a deaf ear and eye to the happenings of the surroundings, getting it worsened, and awaiting court orders to sort it out!. This is totally unjustifiable in a democratic country where the authorities have to rely much on the intervention of judiciary. At the same time, we must note that, when the executive fails in their duties, there is no other way but the judiciary will have to intervene and protect the rights of public.
When our State Government decided to transfer certain powers to the Panchayat and Municipal bodies, the common public were expecting drastic changes in the basic developments of the villages, but to their utmost dissatisfaction, the elected members of local bodies been indulging in “biased developments” as decided by their political wings and not for common purpose. If one travel through the length and breadth of Kerala, we see that majority of our village roads are unsuitable and unsafe for even walking, with deep gutters and pits all over. Not to mention the pathetic condition of street lights, the majority of them will not light up at night!. What I cannot understand is why these elected Panchayat members are being irresponsible to their own wards? Is it necessary that for each and every thing , the common public will have to agitate to get things done by authorities? I think this sort of culture should be done away with and instead the elected members should be held accountable for the development of his ward, by one and all. Also, we, the public should get the right to withdraw such member if he or she is found worthless and irresponsible. Let us agitate for such a revolutionary change in our democratic system!
Jai Hind!!!!
2 comments:
Of course a very relevant observation by Onadan.
It is high time that our system of 'representative' democracy should give way to 'participatory' democracy, in which people should take active participation in decision making. But it does not happen just like that. Unless our education system is overhauled to train people to cater for this need, the concept of gramapanchayat(people are given democratic power) is simply a hoodwink.
You said it, MKERALAM!
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