Rais Shaikh, the MLA of Bhiwandi East in suburban Mumbai, who was recently in news for using Bollywood to involve youth in development of his area, has said people in Bhiwandi are not taking the threats of coronavirus pandemic seriously. Rais was speaking to Dainik Samvaad in an exclusive interview. Rais took leaf out of Anil Kapoor’s Nayak and running a campaign “Ek Din Ka MLA” under which he sought suggestions from general publ;ic as to what needed to be done in their area.
Here is an excerpt from the exclusive interview where Rais talked about handling the safety norms in the current pandemic, working for improving infrastructure in the region and more:
1. Monsoon is here, how would you assess the roads in your area? Are they prepared to brave through the rains that stall Mumbai almost every year now?
The internal as well as external major roads in Bhiwandi have deteriorated over the period of time. This problem has been created over the years, roads are not deteriorated in the past 15 days , one month or even six months . First of all, the condition of roads have been very bad since beginning and secondly the way roads are constructed in Bhiwandi there was never a good SOP, procedure or designs followed. Today I want to fill the port holes , but all the technical teams that have come from Mumbai or Thane have given a report that most of the roads that have constructed in Bhiwandi do not have a good base . For a good road, you need a good foundation, and that requires use of good material. These specifications were not followed and hence we have roads without base and drainage. Now, the only way of solving this problem is by making a master plan, by making a priority list and designing these roads well and getting funds from agencies like PwD. It is a massive task. These people have neglected Bhiwandi’s roads since the last 20-25 years. So, roads will take a lot of time and money and we are working on it. The Master plan is being prepared. The commission is going for lease to get the best resources available and make a master plan. I am fighting with the government to get money for the roads.
2. How effective are your plans in fighting COVID-19 for the people of Bhiwandi?
The municipality was lying to the state government about the figures. I am thankful to state government that they immediately noticed my report and appointed a new commissioner. As the new commissioner is experienced, he had handled similar situation in similar town like Malegaon. He was able to engage with the community. We built all covid-care centres and quarantine facility within the community. We could build up confidence and lots of initiatives from increasing ambulances to increase toll free number, screening, test facility and lots of other initiatives are taken today as a result of all this we have control in overall COVID we keep it as very bare minimum level.
3. How did Ek Din Ka MLA help?
Honestly, that was an exercise done smartly to learn and understand the mind of the people. We now know what people want and what exactly they are demanding. We are analysing it. Somebody is talking about education, somebody is talking about webinars. It helped me immensely in planning and we now have lot of good suggestions and we know now what the priority of the city is. I think young people want better transport facilities, so now I have spoken to transport minister and they are going to start buses and revamp the bus station. I have spoken to various ministers to help Bhiwandi, so it definitely help us to prioritize our work.
4. How well social distancing norms are followed in Bhiwandi and how do you see the covid-19 graph in Bhiwandi?
I would say people are not taking it very seriously. We are trying to create as much as awareness is possible. We are doing campaigns, issuing videos and visiting people even the corporation has made norms to control. But, ultimately it is about civic awareness that lacks and we need to create civic awareness, and more understanding for this.
Now covid19 is much controlled and I don’t see a massive rise in COVID-19. Covid is well under control and I am very happy that even the government Mumbai or the Govt of India have recognized the major provisions for COVID control in Bhiwandi.
5. . Students, especially poor students, are very vulnerable to the consequences of the pandemic. What suggestions do you have for them to cope with the current scenario – limited exposure to classmates and teachers?
We need to support poor children’s education . You have given me a good point, I will speak to the commissioner and find out about the online. The government of India and the Government of Maharashtra, both need to support people financially now. First of all, we need to do is give people relief in the electricity bill. Secondly, we need to create more employment as people are jobless today. We have taken up all these issues to the government and I am very confident that the government will take some positive steps.
6. How are you solving the problems of Ration for people of Bhiwandi ?
I take regular weekly meeting with ration officers and I take stock from distribution system. I am very sure and I am very confident to tell that the distribution in Bhiwandi has been amazing we have been able to control a lot of factors. There is lots of corruption in this but regular interferences and check-ups have really helped. And now I can see that people know that they cannot continue with these corrupt practices as things have improved.
7. What are your strategies to utilize the tax for the betterment of people in Bhiwandi?
We will build infrastructure with money that we get from government of Maharashtra. We will use it for infrastructure purposes, and our priorities are roads, municipal schools and health infrastructure. Whatever tax benefits or money we get from the government, will use for these three areas.