Latest news with #Residents'WelfareAssociation
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
‘Raj township policy aims at affordable hsg, green devpt'
Jaipur: Chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma Monday stated that the newly announced Rajasthan Township Policy 2024 is not only aimed at building townships but also at creating ecosystems that are green, inclusive, and growth-oriented. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "This policy is a blueprint for Rajasthan's urban future," said Sharma in an official statement. The policy mandates inclusion of parks, green zones, and public utility spaces in all residential townships. Each project must earmark 7% of its land for parks and playgrounds and 8% for community services and utilities. Additionally, rainwater harvesting and wastewater recycling systems will be compulsory for all new developments. A major highlight is the policy's Antyodaya vision, which prioritises affordable housing for the economically weaker sections (EWS) and lower-income groups (LIG). To further ease the lives of workers, industrial projects will now be required to reserve 5% of their land for labour housing, reducing commute times and enhancing productivity. To protect consumer interests, the policy introduces developer accountability mechanisms. Developers must retain 2.5% of project land as collateral to ensure infrastructure maintenance for at least five years or until the handover to a Residents' Welfare Association (RWA). Acknowledging the limitations of land in urban centres, the policy promotes vertical development and encourages high-rise residential projects, alongside mixed land-use plans. Group housing, plotted schemes, flat systems, commercial hubs, sub-city centres, and community spaces will be part of this integrated approach. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now For better urban mobility, the policy paves the way for the construction of large sector roads, following the Jaipur Development Authority's model. Land acquisition for these projects will be based on mutual consent to minimise disputes. In a significant push for renewable energy, the policy removes earlier restrictions on setting up solar and wind energy plants, even on land without formal road access in revenue records.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Feeding stray dogs: how law balances questions of compassion & public order
The Supreme Court observed this week that citizens who wished to feed stray dogs should consider doing so inside their own homes. The Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta were hearing an appeal filed by a Noida resident who had been allegedly harassed for feeding stray dogs in the common areas of her housing society. The strongly polarising issue of feeding community dogs has frequently led to litigation over the years. Courts have weighed in on questions of constitutional protections, local governance, and claims over shared civic spaces. The president of the Residents' Welfare Association of the petitioner's society had allegedly broken some pots in which she had kept water for stray animals, harassed her, and killed 10 sterilised stray dogs. Local authorities had taken no action on her complaints, and had instead asked her to not place the pots again. The woman had then approached Allahabad High Court, which had dismissed her petition in the interest of the 'common man'. The court had said that the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023 (ABC Rules) did warrant the protection of street dogs, but 'the authorities will have to bear in mind the concern of common man, such that their movement on streets are not hampered by attacks by these street dogs'. The ABC Rules, 2023, notified under The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, seek to control stray dog populations through sterilisation, and to curb the spread of rabies by vaccinating them. The Rules lay down protocols to ensure that the feeding of dogs respects both animal welfare and public safety. The ABC Rules, which replaced the Animal Birth Control (Dog) Rules, 2001, use the expression 'community animals' instead of 'stray dogs' — recognising that these dogs are not ownerless intruders but territorial beings that inhabit and belong to their local environments. The Supreme Court has interpreted the constitutionally guaranteed right to life and liberty as extending to animals as well. In its verdict in the 2014 Jallikattu case, the top court held that animal life falls within the meaning of Article 21 of the Constitution (Animal Welfare Board of India vs A. Nagaraja). Also, Article 51A(g) places a fundamental duty on citizens 'to have compassion for living creatures'. All this means that the presence of dogs in residential areas cannot automatically be considered unlawful. Nor can those who feed them be considered offenders unless their actions violate specific behavioural and spatial guidelines set by the law. Rule 20 of the ABC Rules, 2023 ('Feeding of Community Animals') states that 'it shall be responsibility of the Resident Welfare Association or Apartment Owner Association or Local Body's representative… to make necessary arrangement for feeding of community animals' if someone living in that area 'feeds or provides care to street animals as a compassionate gesture'. The Rule states that the feeding locations must be away from high-footfall areas like staircases, building entrances, and children's play areas. The designated spaces must be kept clean and litter-free, and community dogs should be fed at an appointed time. The Rule also lays down a dispute resolution mechanism involving the chief veterinary officer, representatives of the police, the district Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, organisations conducting animal birth control, and the RWA. The big picture is that dogs have a right to be fed, but this must be done in ways that minimise disruption to shared social spaces. The Rules try to strike a balance between compassion and public order. In March 2023, the Bombay High Court in Sharmila Sankar & Ors v. Union of India ruled in favour of residents who had faced opposition from their housing societies for feeding dogs. The court said that RWAs and societies cannot restrict the feeding of community animals or threaten or penalise individuals who do so. The court affirmed that the ABC Rules have 'the force of law'.
Hindustan Times
23-06-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Residents seek control of sanitation services in Gurugram's Sector 45
The Residents' Welfare Association (RWA) of Sector 45 has submitted a request to the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) seeking control of sanitation services in the area citing prolonged neglect by the MCG-appointed agency to maintain the cleanliness. Garbage dumped on a road near Sector 45 in Gurugram on Sunday. (HT PHOTO) 'The condition is very bad and it is not fair to live in filth. There is no sanitation in the area. Sector 45 has been neglected for years. We have been forced to employ private cleaners to keep our streets liveable. How long can residents continue to bear the burden of a service they already pay for through taxes?' Om Prakash Yadav, RWA president of the sector said. Stating that the sector has remained in disarray for several years despite repeated complaints, residents alleged that services by the current agency — despite being paid over ₹ 7 lakh — are 'grossly inadequate' and do not justify the expenditure of public funds. The RWA, in its letter to MCG commissioner Pradeep Dahiya, also requested to halt all payments to the agency and has decided to deny the entry of the sanitation staff until an overhaul is initiated. They have also attached a petition signed by over 700 residents and a USB drive containing photographs of unhygienic conditions in the area. 'This is not a spur-of-the-moment move. We first submitted our concern on September 1, 2023. Since then, there have been multiple meetings — including one with United Gurugram RWAs where a framework was proposed for handing over sanitation responsibilities to registered RWAs. Unfortunately, there has been little progress,' Puneet Pahwa, general secretary of the RWA said. Dahiya acknowledged the concerns and welcomed the RWA's approach. 'We are reviewing the proposal positively. If an RWA demonstrates the capacity and willingness to maintain sanitation standards better than existing arrangements, we are open to working with them,' he said. 'Our objective is to ensure cleaner neighbourhoods, and any workable, citizen-driven model that supports this goal will be considered on merit.'
India Today
18-06-2025
- India Today
Human skull and bones found in Bengaluru apartment pit, police launch probe
Human bones and a skull were discovered inside a percolation pit, from where the rainwater is channeled to the ground, at an apartment complex in the Begur area of Bengaluru, police remains were found on June 16 during cleaning work at MN Credence Flora Apartments in New Mico to the Begur police, the skeletal parts were spotted by workers hired by the Residents' Welfare Association (RWA) to clean the pit. The RWA president subsequently filed a complaint, based on which an Unnatural Death Report (UDR) was "We have sent them for forensic analysis. It would take a week before we could get any other details," said an official from the Begur police origin and identity of the remains are yet to be established. Police are awaiting the forensic report to determine whether there was any foul play week, a 36-year-old woman named Harini was allegedly murdered by her lover in a hotel room in Poorna Prajna Layout. Her body was found two days after the accused, Yashas, a 25-year-old techie and also a resident of Kengeri like the victim, is suspected to have killed her on Friday night. Police say the two had known each other for about a year, but over the past two months, Harini had begun distancing herself from appears there was a strain in their relationship. We're looking into all aspects,' said DCP South, Lokesh Jagalasar. IN THIS STORY#Bengaluru
Time of India
04-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
GCC is yet to remove encroachments, debris
Chennai: Madras high court has ordered removal of encroachments and debris that block water flow during the monsoon near the six-vent culvert at Velachery by June 12, but Greater Chennai Corporation is yet to begin work. Residents are opposing the proposed eco-park project near the culvert, fearing it will block the flow of excess rainwater from residential areas and cause waterlogging on streets. Earlier, GCC removed some of the encroachments that disrupted the free flow of water during the northeast monsoon. However, it failed to remove the debris, and many encroachments reappeared in recent years. During the 2024 monsoon, nearby residential areas received 7cm of rain that formed a pond in front of the culvert and caused flooding. In response to a petition filed by the Residents' Welfare Association, the court in April directed GCC to remove the encroachments and submit a report on the number identified and notices issued to them. "It has been two months. Neither the local body nor the tahsildar inspected the site or took steps to clear the dumped debris and encroachments. Instead, the civic body deposited a huge pile of sand to prepare for the eco-park," says Velachery-based Tansi Nagar Residents' Welfare Association general secretary M Balakrishnan. "The beautification will obstruct the free flow of excess rainwater from residential areas during the monsoon season." Residents say the proposed eco-park near the six-vent culvert will not benefit them. "Instead of spending a large sum on this project, GCC should construct another six-vent culvert here to prevent flooding," says J Kamalanathan, another resident of Velachery. Adyar zonal officer Haritn Rosario says the tahsildar is identifying encroachments near the culvert. GCC will work to remove the illegal structures, he said. The official also noted that penalties and legal action have been initiated against those dumping construction debris and waste."
