Role of ALMs to be defined in new manual

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) modified guidelines for advancedlocality managements (ALMs) are ready and will be distributed to all 24 administrative ward offices soon. ALMs are collections of housing societies that take up civicissuesin their wards and the new guidelines aim to "strengthen the relationship between the civic body and citizens". Even shopkeepers can be equal stakeholders in forming an ALM. 

    Additional municipal commissioner Mohan Adtani said each ALM will now get two I-cards and the members will attend ALM meetings, which will be conducted at assistant head supervisor (AHS) and ward office levels. ALMs will also get a registration number. "The registration numbers will help us know if there are any outsiders in the ALMs. We have come to know of disputes where non-ALM members lodge falsecomplaints.Registration willhelp keep a tabon ALMs," said Seema Redkar, ALM officer,BMC. 

    As per the guidelines, the BMC will appoint one beat officer to co-ordinate with the ALMs. The beat officer will function as the nodal officer, visit the locality regularly to liaise with the local committee (LC) and ensure that all issues are resolved and make a note in the local register (LR). The assistantheadsupervisor (AHS)from thesolidwastedepartmentwillconduct monthly meetings with ALMs after screening theLC register. 

    The assistant commissioner will screen the local register once a month with the AHS and conduct bimonthly meeting with ALMs. The BMC will also inform the ALMs of the schedule of any proposed utility work in the respectivelocality. 

New guidelines U nder the new guidelines, ALMs will be allowed to take up issues related to solid waste management, storm water drains, sewage, water, pest control, illegal encroachments, hawkers, posters, utility services and roads in the ALM locality. Issues related to parking woes will remain out of the purview of the ALMs as the traffic department doesn't come under the purview of the BMC. Each ALM will get a registration number and two I-cards. TNN