Voice of People is a non-partisan, voluntary organisation based in Chennai, consisting of concerned citizens as members with an objective to enable a people participatory democracy.<concernedcitizenscall@gmail.com>

CAN you and I Govern our neighbourhood collectively?

YES, We CAN. Whether it is a solution for flooding and water stagnation, ideas for covid control, prioritizing the ward budget for local infrastructure or even regarding the location of TASMAC shops, etc., we can have a say in it as voters from the ward. Just like the people of a village can govern their village by participating directly in planning, reviewing and making resolutions along with their elected representatives and village administration officials via their Grama Sabhas, even the people of urban areas and wards can. 

HOW?

Just like the people of villages have “Grama Sabha” to self-govern their villages, wards in the cities can have “Ward Committee” and “Area Sabhas” for the exact same purpose.

Then WHY aren’t we having Ward Committees and Area Sabhas in our cities, when the Grama Sabhas are being conducted regularly in the villages?

Even though Tamil Nadu has a Law that mandates constituting Ward Committees and Area Sabhas since 2010, the State Government hasn’t drafted the Rules and implemented it yet. The law is called ‘Tamil Nadu Municipal Laws (Amendments) Act, 2010’, also referred to as ACT No. 35 of 2010 and it received the assent of Governor on 26th November of 2010. Since there is absolutely no public awareness about this law in the state, unfortunately, even after all these years, Ward Committees and Area Sabahs exist only on paper in our state.

WHAT can we do now?

With the State getting prepared for the Urban Local Body Elections finally, we can become informed citizens by knowing more about Area Sabha and Ward Committee by visiting the link bit.ly/3IUhLL9, spread the awareness with our fellow citizens and also demand the same from the Councillor candidates when they come to seek our votes. Together we can make Ward Committees and Area Sabhas a reality in our wards and take a promising step towards self-governing.
Courtesy by: Voice of People