"We need a place at the table of local governance"

‘We need a place at the table of local governance’
The Times of India

What do you think of residents taking matters into their own hands and protesting about various civic issues?
It’s a welcome sign and venting frustration is natural. I would rather have citizens protesting legally rather than being resigned to their fate. The tragedy is that things have come to this.

What strategy should they adopt to be more effective and ensure that work gets done?
One needs to think up novel forms of protest. Suited IT execs on Hosur Road with shovels did wonders for that road a decade ago. Elected representatives care about getting re-elected; administrators care about retiring with their halos intact. By understanding underlying motivations, some options will suggest themselves.

What other methods can be employed by citizens to get the attention of the authorities?
Eternal vigilance and remaining engaged is necessary. The urban citizen needs a place at the table of local governance. They need a forum, an empowerment and the state can provide urban citizens that space and role under law. Sans this, our newspapers will read the same in 2020.

What must the authorities do to address various civic problems faced by people in the city?
City administrators need to have incentives to be citizen-oriented and to deliver. They need to spell out specific plans, time lines and be accountable for their non-performance.

V RAVICHANDAR
Former BATF member
On residents protesting against civic problems