[Reader-list] survey of 5 RWAs in Delhi

Fri Jul 21 03:53:17 IST 2006

In this post I will try to briefly summarize the quick readings of
qualitative findings of the first part of a questionnaire based survey
undertaken in 5 Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) of New Delhi/ Delhi
(C-8 Vasant Kunj, GK II, Self Financed Flats Shiekh Sariai Phase 1 and Self
Financed Flats Mukherjee Nagar. The second part of the survey consisted of
more qualitative interviews which I will cover in the next post along with
more detailed analysis of the qualitative data collected. Also I have not
created tables in order to stick to the text format of the mailing list.

****C-8 Vasant Kunj****

This is 15 year old RWA where membership charges are Rs 1100 per annum or Rs
100 per month.

Members of the RWA among the sample – 87.5%

Percentage satisfied with the civic amenities in the colony/residential area
– 50%

Percentage satisfied with the electric supply in the colony/residential area
– 87.5%

Percentage satisfied with the water supply in the colony/residential area –
0%

Percentage satisfied with security in the colony/residential area – 0%

Percentage that vote in the RWA elections – 87.5% (100% among the members)

Percentage that has had to complain/deal with Delhi Jal Board/Electric
Utility/MCD in the recent past – 87.5%     ( 100% have complained
individually, 50% have also complained with the help of the RWA, 1
respondent had complained with a independent resident group other than the
RWA)

Percentage that felt that the RWA was useful/had empowered them in their
dealing with the various government agencies/ utilities – 75%

NOTES (nowhere near exhaustive at this moment, just some things that caught
my eye while quickly glancing through the questionnaires) –

   1. Women are a majority in the executive council on the RWA.
   2. RWA runs a community center, gym, badminton court, TT table in the
   colony

BYTES (these are some of the quotes by residents. All the questionnaires
were filled by the respondents in their own hand writing so as to avoid loss
in translation)

K Gulati (C 8/ 8011 Vasant Kunj) "The benefits have reached only few people,
but we have been able to voice our difficulties through the Resident Welfare
Association. The RWA has not been of any help in improving water supply
except for areas where elected members live."

SS Kapur (C8/8060 Vasant Kunj) "RWAs impact on civic facilities and other
essential requirements depends on the enthusiasm of its members. Every
election of RWA brings in change for good or worse.

****SFS Flats Sheikh Sarai****

This is 22 year old RWA where membership charges are Rs 800 per annum

Members of the RWA among the sample – 100%

Percentage satisfied with the civic amenities in the colony/residential area
– 100%

Percentage satisfied with the electric supply in the colony/residential area
– 87.5%

Percentage satisfied with the water supply in the colony/residential area –
100%

Percentage satisfied with security in the colony/residential area – 42.8%

Percentage that vote in the RWA elections – 100%

Percentage that has had to complain/deal with Delhi Jal Board/Electric
Utility/MCD in the recent past – 87.5%     (Most residents complain
individually as well through the RWA office)

Percentage that felt that the RWA was useful/had empowered them in their
dealing with the various government agencies/ utilities – 87.5%

NOTES (nowhere near exhaustive at this moment, just some things that caught
my eye while quickly glancing through the questionnaires) –

   1. Women members are active but most are co-opted and not elected
   2. Facility for paying electricity, water and telephone bills and
   property tax is provided by the RWA. Advise on property tax is also
   provided.

BYTES (these are some of the quotes by residents. All the questionnaires
were filled by the respondents in their own hand writing so as to avoid loss
in translation)

A P Sexena (C-476 SFS Flats Sheikh Sarai) "Defective tubewells have been
made operational, security guards have been appointed, roads have been
improved"

D C Tayal ( C- 238 SFS Flats Sheikh Sarai) "RWA organizes health camps,
walks, servant verification camps, car check up camps etc."

****A 14 Kalkaji Extension****

This is 22 year old RWA where membership charges are Rs 100 per month

Members of the RWA among the sample – 71.5%

Percentage satisfied with the civic amenities in the colony/residential area
– 28.5%

Percentage satisfied with the electric supply in the colony/residential area
– 86%%

Percentage satisfied with the water supply in the colony/residential area –
43%

Percentage satisfied with security in the colony/residential area – 28.5%

Percentage that vote in the RWA elections – 71.4%

Percentage that has had to complain/deal with Delhi Jal Board/Electric
Utility/MCD in the recent past – 71.4%     (only 14% of the sample had
complained through the RWA)

Percentage that felt that the RWA was useful/had empowered them in their
dealing with the various government agencies/ utilities – 71.4%

NOTES (nowhere near exhaustive at this moment, just some things that caught
my eye while quickly glancing through the questionnaires) –

   1. There are no women in the RWA committee.
   2. Election process is by show of hand.
   3. RWA conducts many functions on festivals and national days.

BYTES (these are some of the quotes by residents. All the questionnaires
were filled by the respondents in their own hand writing so as to avoid loss
in translation)

T Nag (5B – A 14 – Himgari Apts. Kalkaji Extension) The only use of the RWA
is that is serves as a platform for developing new acquaintances and
friendships among the members.

B Banerjee (10A- A 14- Himgari Apts Kalkaji Extension) "I complain
individually because the RWA is defunct functionally in our colony."

**** GK II****

This is a 38 years old RWA where membership charges are Rs 700 for life.

Members of the RWA among the sample – 100%

Percentage satisfied with the civic amenities in the colony/residential area
– 88.8%

Percentage satisfied with the electric supply in the colony/residential area
– 100%

Percentage satisfied with the water supply in the colony/residential area –
88.8%

Percentage satisfied with security in the colony/residential area – 55.5%

Percentage that vote in the RWA elections – 100%

Percentage that has had to complain/deal with Delhi Jal Board/Electric
Utility/MCD in the recent past – 100% (33.3% through the RWA, rest
individually)

Percentage that felt that the RWA was useful/had empowered them in their
dealing with the various government agencies/ utilities – 100%

NOTES (nowhere near exhaustive at this moment, just some things that caught
my eye while quickly glancing through the questionnaires) –

It was with the help of the RWA and other associated RWAs the colony was
able to achieve the following:

   1. Lowering the category for the colony from A to B for the purpose of
   calculation of house tax.
   2. Roll back of the tariff hike of electricity by the government.
   3. Freezing of the cable TV rates

****SFS Mukherjee Nagar****

This is 10 year old RWA where membership charges are Rs 100 per month.

Members of the RWA among the sample – 62.5% (one respondent said that the
RWA did not exist in his colony!)

Percentage satisfied with the civic amenities in the colony/residential area
– 50%

Percentage satisfied with the electric supply in the colony/residential area
– 75%

Percentage satisfied with the water supply in the colony/residential area –
62.5%

Percentage satisfied with security in the colony/residential area – 37.5%

Percentage that vote in the RWA elections – 50% (one respondent said that
there was no need to vote as the elections are unanimous)

Percentage that has had to complain/deal with Delhi Jal Board/Electric
Utility/MCD in the recent past – 87.5%   (37.5% complain via the RWA)

Percentage that felt that the RWA was useful/had empowered them in their
dealing with the various government agencies/ utilities – 87.5%

NOTES (nowhere near exhaustive at this moment, just some things that caught
my eye while quickly glancing through the questionnaires) –

   1. There are no women in the executive member in the RWA

BYTES (these are some of the quotes by residents. All the questionnaires
were filled by the respondents in their own hand writing so as to avoid loss
in translation)

K S Shukla (346 SFS Mukherjee Nagar) "The RWA can only be useful if the
executive members show sincerity …. Rather than occupy the seats. They
should stop the infighting."

S K  Chauhan (126 SFS Mukherjee Nagar) "RWA is most essential for a colony
because some work can not be undertaken by individuals."

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