PMC to Provide Justice to Residents of Wagholi

The picturesque village of Wagholi, now part of Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), finds itself engulfed in a relentless struggle for basic amenities. The residents, fed up with the lack of infrastructure development and essential services, have taken a bold step by serving a legal notice to the PMC. Led by Anil Kumar Mishra, founder of Team Wagholi Against Corruption Organization (WACO), and backed by advocate Pradip Solase, the residents demand justice and fairness in property tax billing.

Background:

In July 2021, Wagholi was merged into the PMC limits, anticipating a brighter future with improved services. However, the stark reality paints a different picture – dilapidated roads, a scarcity of water, a non-existent drainage system, and a garbage disposal crisis. The legal notice, served under section 487 of The Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Act, sheds light on the residents’ plight and their quest for a resolution.

Current Challenges:

1. Pathetic State of Roads and Waterlogging: The internal and connecting roads of Wagholi are in deplorable conditions, plagued by potholes. Waterlogging compounds the issue, making daily life a struggle for the residents.
2. Water Scarcity and Reliance on Private Water Tankers: Astonishingly, the residents claim they have not received a single drop of water from the civic body. Consequently, they are forced to spend substantial amounts annually to procure water from private tanker suppliers.
3. Garbage Disposal Woes: The absence of PMC’s garbage disposal services has led residents to seek assistance from private agencies. Open dumping and waste burning in public areas worsen the situation, creating environmental hazards.
4. Lack of Drainage System: Wagholi faces regular sewage overflow due to the absence of a proper drainage system. During rainfall, the roads transform into streams, causing inconvenience to the residents.

Legal Notice and Demands:

Advocate Pradip Solase, representing the residents, issued a legal notice demanding revised property tax bills. The notice questions the inclusion of water tax, sewage tax, cleaning tax, and road tax in property tax bills when the PMC fails to provide corresponding services. Key demands presented in the notice include:

1. Publication of Development Plans: PMC is urged to disclose any development plans for providing essential services in Wagholi for the upcoming years.
2. Provision of Basic Facilities: Immediate action is sought to provide water and other fundamental facilities to the residents.
3. Removal of Illogical Tax Components: The demand to eliminate water tax, sewage tax, cleaning tax, and road tax from property tax bills until services are provided.
4. Issuance of Corrected Property Tax Bills: PMC is urged to issue corrected property tax bills promptly, excluding the contested tax components, for the financial year 2023-24.
5. Avoidance of Retrospective Property Tax: Residents vehemently oppose any retrospective property tax collection for the financial year 2022-23.

The Way Forward:

Advocate Pradip Solase warns of legal action if the PMC fails to address the residents’ demands. The ball is now in the PMC’s court as the residents await a response to their plea for justice.

Conclusion:

Wagholi’s struggle for justice stands as a testament to the resilience of a community demanding its rightful share of basic amenities. The legal notice serves as a wake-up call to the PMC, urging them to prioritize the welfare of Wagholi’s residents and fulfill their responsibilities. As the residents gear up for a potential legal battle, the resolution of this issue will not only impact Wagholi but also set a precedent for other communities facing neglect from municipal bodies. The fight for justice continues, and the eyes of the community are fixed on the PMC’s response – a response that could shape the future of Wagholi and inspire change in civic governance.