May 2008 Editorial by Gaurang Damani

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Karmayogi

Something to think about

How a group of local citizens succeeded......
Editorial by Gaurang Damani (May 2008)

Local residents at Ram Milan Shukla Marg, Sion East (near Koliwada station) were confronted with a huge problem. BMC had put up a ‘hawking zone’ board, in an already chaotic street full of traffic jams. This was April 2007!

The process opposing the hawking zone included:

Started with RTI’s to the BMC F-North ward office/ BMC main office
Subsequent meetings with Mr Suhas Karvande (Ward Officer) and Mr RA Rajeev (Additional Municipal Commissioner)
Meeting with Matunga traffic police
Meeting with Neera Punj (Citispace NGO)
Official BMC location maps of the area were then obtained
Ruling from Supreme Court was obtained, describing that a hawking zone cannot exist 100 meters from a temple or educational institute or 150 meters from a railway station.
An affidavit was filed in Supreme court
Complaint letter to the 3 member hawkers committee appointed by the Supreme court
Interaction with other Sion residents who fought in similar situations.
Obtained property card and CS map from Old Customs House as proof of location
Suggested alternate locations for the hawking zone
Finally, it was decided to fight the matter on law point alone. The local residents showed remarkable unity and attended 3 almost full day sessions infront of the committee appointed by the SC.

Patience was rewarded, when the area was declared as a No-hawking zone, in March 2008, after almost a year of persistent efforts. A similar victory was also achieved on Bhaudaji Road, King’s Circle, due to efforts of Jadhav ji and Nalinbhai Sampat.

Ram Milan Shukla Marg Forum includes members Sahil Doshi, Ramm Prakash, Prabhudas Todai, Sanjeet Shukla, Jayesh Karia, Adv Hasmukh Shah, Jignesh, Sanjay, Kishore bhai, who all actively campaigned for their area.

Issued in Public Interest,
Die Hard Indian
Gaurang Damani
93226-58196

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