Japan K Pathak, Gandhinagar: Rajkot Municipal Corporation had proposed some changes in existing rules pertaining to the procedure of RMC’s general board meetings. The Urban Development Department of the Gujarat government, after reviewing the proposed changes, has made some corrections and given its approval. While the RMC had proposed a fee of Rs. 2,000 for those who want to see the workbook of procedures done in the General Board meeting, the State government has reduced it to Rs. 100. The other proposals by RMC have been approved by the State government as they are.

As per the changed rules approved by the State government, the city Mayor will appoint 6 gents marshals and 2 ladies marshals — in total 8 marshals from the Fire Brigade for their duty in General Board meetings. As per the earlier rule, the Mayor could appoint 4 marshals. However, when this old rule was made, there were 51 members in RMC, of whom 50 were gents and only 1 was female. Nowadays, 50% of members are female (36 of 72), thanks to the reservation quota, and therefore female marshals will also be appointed from the Fire Brigade by the Mayor to safeguard the General Board meeting.

In another rule change, any member can, during working hours, go through the daily workbook of committees for free, while other persons will need to pay Rs. 100 per hour instead of the previously effective charge of 50 paise. Legally related matters in the workbooks will not be accessible to those other than members.

Each meeting of the general board of RMC will remain open for public audience, limited by available seats, with entry to be registered by filling a form one hour before the general board meeting. The form will be available from the office of the Municipal Secretary. An applicant will need to enter name, address, contact number, etc., details, and attach a self-attested copy of a government-issued photo ID. The applicant will need to keep their actual photo ID card while sitting in the audience gallery.

The audience will not be allowed to keep mobile phones, cameras, electronic equipment, purses, banners, hoardings, placards, sign boards, scissors, knives, nail cutters, other sharp items, or any of the listed prohibited items. Regarding any dispute related to entry in the audience gallery, the Mayor’s decision shall be final and binding. If any disturbance in the meeting is caused by the audience, the person responsible will have to leave as per the order of the Mayor, or a marshal will intervene for the same on the Mayor’s order.

Previously, there was no rule pertaining to prohibited items.

In the new rule, in the absence of the Mayor, the meeting will be chaired by the Deputy Mayor, and in the absence of both, the Standing Committee Chairman will chair the board. In case of the absence of all three, the members will decide who will chair the meeting. In the earlier rules, the provision of the Standing Committee Chairman as Chair of the board in the absence of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor was not included.

The agenda of the meeting is presently sent only by general post to the members. From now onwards, a copy will be sent by general post, registered AD, speed post, courier, WhatsApp, and also by email ID.

The charge to view the records of the procedures in the general board shall be free for members but Rs. 100 for other persons. Previously, the charge was just 50 paise for non-members. DeshGujarat