On
Saturday 15th December 2012 an historical debate was arranged
between the citizens and the municipal officials to clear the doubts about the
‘Environmental status report 2011-12’ (ESR) . This debate was entirely arranged
and executed by the citizens. Every person who wanted to attend the debate had
to fill in a form and pay the sum of Rs. 100/-. The debate was organised in Prabodh
hall of Janana Prabodhini Prashala.
To
answer the queries of the citizens, Additional commissioner Mr. Naresh Zurmure,
Assistant Commissioner- Technical Mr. Sunil Kesri and Environmental officer Mr.
Mangesh Dighe was present at the event.
Many
issues about the environmental report were discussed in this debate. Most
importantantly, the issues about the need of an ESR, method of preparing the
report, factors affecting city’s environment were discussed in depth. Mr.
Zurmure made it a point to note every point that was mentioned in the debate and
also gave the citizens the assurance that these points will feed in the process
of preparing the ESR of coming year. About 15 new points were agreed upon. Moreover,
to encourage public participation in preparing of the ESR Mr. Zurmure has
assured to hold a public meeting every first and third Saturday of the month in
PMC’s Indradhanyshya hall.
Some
newspapers were seen to be misreporting the event quoting the statements raised
in the debate out of context. This debate, we feel is an example of a mature
democracy, where citizens and civic officials sit together to solve the
concerns of the city. We are afraid that the core concerns of the debate were
lost in these news reports.
Abhishek Waghmare
+91 9552003918
