The ward committees had been formed in January 2000 after the amendment in

Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act 1888 as per 74th Amendment of the

Constitution of India.

Terming the situation unfortunate, Milind Mhaske, Project Director of Praja

Foundation said, The collective responsibility of nominating members lies with
the civic administration and senior counclillars. However, just like any other area,
the BMC has failed on this front as well.

Ajay Shukla, a former nominated member in L-ward committee said, Earlier,

when power to appoint nominated members was in the hands of senior municipal
officers, representatives of NGOs were appointed in committees, but when it was
shifted in the hands of Ward committees chairmen, things got muddled up.

According to the provisions made in the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act,

1888, such members should be selected from amongst the members of recognised
non-government organisations and community based organisations engaged in
social welfare activities and working within the area of the ward committees.

Another former nominated member and RTI activist Anil Galgali said, This is
nothing but disrespect of constitution. BMC administration has failed to understand
why there was 74th amendment of constitution, which was meant to decentralise
the power in decision making.