City's Latest Initiative, Mumbai Citizens Forum; Here's What It Entails

To enable the hearing of grievances of the public and address the same in a timely manner by the authorities in Mumbai, the city police commissioner, Sanjay Pandey collaborated with citizens and curated a citizen forum by means of a small electoral process held last month, reported the Indian Express. 

According to the account, Pandey says that the citizens have drafted the "Citizen First Bill, 2022" which will be submitted to the government. In addition to this, people can reach out on the forum's website to become a member. 

Here is my work report. We have been trying, could have been better for sure.. pic.twitter.com/4ym3eR2OPd

— Sanjay Pandey (@sanjayp_1) June 19, 2022

They reportedly look to work on the Maharashtra Right to Public Service Act, 2015 that considers initiating action against government servants if they are not discharging their duties. The said bill not only goes to define citizens and citizens' groups but also offers a democratic mechanism to make a citizen's forum. This is believed to help strengthen citizens' participation in the decision-making process of the government in addition to delivering services in a timely manner. 

Based on the narrative, the forum hopes to address issues in regard to inadequate or delayed services which will make decision-makers accountable. It also looks to make the decision-makers interact and respond to the forum quickly. Interestingly, the bill highlights that a member of a political party or one who has a criminal record cannot be part of the forum.

The account suggests that the forum will have a chief, a deputy head, regional heads, zonal committee members, and representatives at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) ward level and at the BMC councillor level. It seeks to have eight to ten people representing 6,000 people in Mumbai.  

Moreover, the forum will have an advisory board comprising people from the media, lawyers, activists, educationists, technology experts, government servants and accountants. They hope to have at least one meeting once a month with government servants to voice public issues.