1 week Ago By Salonee Mistry
1 2 Housing society federations and citizens have taken it upon themselves to ensure a high turnout of voters for the assembly elections slated for Nov 20, when politicians and their parties will battle it out for 288 seats across the state, with 21 in Pune district. The govt may have issued circulars to increase voter awareness, but housing society associations have been busy making videos on what people expect from their MLAs, helping citizens be part of the electorate and visiting societies to encourage everyone to vote. Aiming for 100% voter turnout this election Associations in Kharadi, Wagholi, Pashan, Undri and several other neighbourhoods have activated their pre-election drives.
Right from how to get voter IDs, to actually getting it done for them — most are going above and beyond. Sumit Dusad, member of Kharadi Housing Societies Welfare Association, told TOI, "We have been working to get residents registered and have held several camps for this since March. Till date, we have registered at least 2,000 citizens.
" "We take all required information from them, fill their forms online and then follow up with authorities till the process is complete. We believe that our power rests in voting — and this is the message we take to all societies. We have held awareness campaigns in 50 societies over the last few weeks and aim to complete another 100 before voting day," he added.
Awareness comes in all forms While some neighbourhoods are organising camps and awareness drives, others are using social media platforms and videos to increase voter turnout. Sanjeev Patil, one of the directors of the Wagholi Housing Societies Association, said, "We have been circulating govt resolutions in our WhatsApp groups to keep everyone informed. Members are also individually holding meetings and raising awareness in their respective societies.
" Members of the Bavdhan Citizens Forum are taking an entirely different approach. They have started a cartoon series, which is being shared via WhatsApp. They are also making videos to drive home the importance of voting.
"We are in the process of making a video featuring residents of Bavdhan. We ask them questions like what their MLA should do for them and why should everyone vote. The videos will be shared in groups to encourage people to exercise their right," Dushyant Bhatia, a core member of the forum said.
Charter of demands and candidate meetups Associations in areas like Pashan, Balewadi, Baner and Aundh are working towards a charter of demands, after which they will hold awareness drives. "We are urging citizens to list issues that are important to them. We will take these to the candidates standing for elections.
It is a good way to get people involved in the process and increase voter turnout. We have issues that are common to these neighbourhoods, but also those that are specific to each area. We will hold awareness drives closer to the day of voting and be at booths to help people on the actual day," said Ravindra Sinha, secretary of Baner Pashan Link Road Welfare Trust.
The groups are not only working in their individual capacity, but collaborating for bigger problems that affect everyone. They also plan to conduct ‘know your candidate' meets to further encourage voting. "Protecting our hills from destructive projects like BBPP road, HCMTR and twin tunnels, removing encroachments from BDP areas, ban on basement excavations for building constructions, improving PMPML services and scrapping the UDCPR and Metro Transit-Oriented Development are our top demands.
We have been encouraging voting primarily through WhatsApp groups for now. Each association member is responsible for maximum voter turnout from their own society and neighbourhood," said Pushkar Kulkarni, convener of Pashan Area Sabha. Civic amenity needs remain the same Absence of corporators is expected to play an important role in how people vote this year.
The focus for many is the fact that basic civic facilities are missing in their areas. "It's been decades that we have been fighting for the most basic of facilities. However, there has been no permanent solution.
We want adequate water supply, encroachment free infrastructure, a concrete plan to reduce traffic congestion and better distribution of key resources among all the areas in the city," said Dattatraya Deshmukh, president of the Pimpri Chinchwad Housing Societies Federation. Associations across Pune have the same needs, in addition to issues of garbage collection and burning, better drainage systems and the problem of too few green spaces. In addition to civic issues common through Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad, there are area-specific demands too.
"We will vote for someone who understands the requirements of people from the IT sector and strives to bring industries and employment to Hinjewadi or Pune. There is a need for new business to tackle unemployment and growing crime. Better policies, infrastructure and other civic amenities is a big part of how people and I will vote this year," Dnyanendra Hulsure, president of Hinjewadi Employees and Residents Trust, told TOI.
A call to boycott election in two neighbourhoods, as basic needs not fulfilled There are many areas with citizens who want to abstain from voting. Sunil Aiyer, member of Mohammadwadi Undri Residents Development Foundation, said, "It's been almost two decades of not getting what we want. We see no point in voting.
It feels meaningless. We want our MLA to visit and lend an ear to our problems, but no one cares. We have decided that we will not allow them to take us for a ride anymore.
‘No Water No Vote, No Infra No Tax' is the stand we have taken." Even VTP Solitaire society in Baner has put a poster on their main gate that they will boycott state elections. The poster demands that people's representatives should solve their issues of road, water, light and development, before asking for votes.
CITIZENS' SAY Vishrantwadi is plagued by hawkers and illegal encroachments, leading to illegal parking and traffic snarls. It causes noise and air pollution. The MLA must focus on reducing this and increasing green patches in the area.
Initiative must be taken to better the city's public transport network and maybe even make it more accessible by bringing the Metro to Vishrantwadi. Safety of women and stringent implementation of laws when they are broken is also the need of the hour. Pune city isn't the same anymore.
All MLAs must work to rectify this — Madhuri Bhalerao | Homemaker Tathawade has not undergone much development. There is no garden area or open space here. Every year, there are ongoing roadworks, but the surfaces don't even last for six months.
The local civic body has given all available land to builders for societies, leaving almost no open space for gardens, playgrounds, etc. Bhumkar Chowk and Tathawade underpass are always choked with traffic, but no permanent solution has been sought. Many are unhappy.
We will vote, but NOTA seems like the better option this time — Ansh Saini | Software Developer Encroachment, lack of urban planning and neglect of community spaces like gardens, unreliable power supply, unauthorised hoardings and lack of recreational spaces are all issues that will play a role for voters in Sahakarnagar — especially me. We want our MLA to focus on better roads and footpaths, ensuring that action taken against rule-breakers is permanent and that development done takes into account space for parking and availability of crucial basic resources. We need someone to work for betterment of the area and think about citizens first — Amit Shahane | Chartered Accountant Our top priority in Sopanbaug is to tackle the Hadapsar-Ramtekdi garbage depot issue as the stench is unbearable.
We also want an MLA, who will ensure the deployment of a traffic cop at the main junction here in peak hours. We want CCTV cameras installed throughout the area and the nullahs to be fenced, so that there is no scope for garbage dumping. Traffic on the main road pushes motorists to internal roads, creating a ruckus for residents — Sachin Khandelwal | Hotelier I will vote in the upcoming election and am looking for an MLA who has a blend of responsibility, commitment, devotion and discipline to effectively help govt execute the projects for Model Colony, where I live, and adjoining areas.
Environment, infrastructure, traffic and a vision-based leadership are major deciding points when it comes to choosing my MLA this time — Siddharth Mayur | Greentech Entrepreneur I live on Prabhat Road and the hills are precious to everyone here. I want the MLA that comes into power to protect these lungs of the city and not sacrifice them to some construction or development project. I am looking for my MLA to push for development that is citizen-centric and not simply construct roads or spend money when citizens of that area don't feel the need for them — Shyama Dutta | Educator The main priority for many of us living and working in Camp is infrastructure development that can be facilitated by the MLA who comes into power.
The area needs a lot of development and new constructions as a lot of buildings are old and structurally weak. The population has grown exponentially over the years and resources available don't match. Whoever comes into power should think about infrastructure and their solutions must have citizens at the heart.
We also need someone to work on a long-term solution for traffic issues plaguing the area — Darshan Chawla | Real-estate Professional I want an MLA who works towards resolving civic issues in my area. Everything from water to power supply, traffic and even garbage collection is a mess in Aundh. Nothing is done properly.
We have no corporators, so MLAs are the only ones we can complain to. Keeping this in mind, the MLA I vote for will be someone who has not only worked and resolved our issues in the past, but even their future plans will play a big role. Their plan will have to be one that keeps citizens at the centre — Suryakant Akhade | Bank Employee Two issues affecting Wakad are traffic congestion and inadequate water supply.
Traffic has become extremely chaotic, in and around the Hinjewadi-Wakad neighbourhoods, causing long delays and safety concerns. Additionally, there are frequent water supply shortages and we are forced to depend on tankers for drinking water. Residents of Wakad pay at least Rs20 crore in tax annually to PCMC, yet we are deprived of basic amenities I want my MLA to focus on this — Shipra Jain | Software Engineer The population is growing at a rapid pace, especially in areas like Ravet.
So, there also needs to be an increase in supply and availability of resources to match this growth. I will vote for an MLA who works on schemes that not only help develop the area but do so keeping in mind the future. We need policies that will develop areas with a focus on citizens and ensure than a constant balance is maintained between available resources and population — Ketaki Naidu | Social Worker Traffic in core city areas is a big problem.
As an 81-year-old, my needs are few, but even those aren't fulfilled. Medicines are expensive and prices continue to rise for all essential items, too. We need policies to help reduce the financial burden on senior citizens like me.
I would like my MLA to initiate schemes that will help women grow businesses, and also work on their safety. Whoever comes to power must fulfil the promises they make — Jayashree Kulkarni | Retired Theatre Professional.
