Call for norms as RWAs ban entry of vendors, maids
New Delhi, June 29
Gated housing society complexes were never porous, but in the Covid-19 induced lockdown all such localities turned them into fortress with Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) dictating the terms of entry into the premises.
With reports pouring in from different parts of the country, including Delhi and adjoining NCR, about RWAs banning the entry of newspaper vendors, domestic helps and such other persons in the complexes, social media was abuzz with comment dubbing them as the “modern-day khap panchayats”.
Many functionaries in RWAs said they were only extending a helping hand to the authorities in implementing the lockdown and ensuring the safety of residents. However, many go beyond the declared norms and dictate their own terms.
A senior functionary of the United RWA Joint Action — an umbrella body of more than 2,000 housing associations in Ghaziabad, said the government should come up with specific guidelines for RWAs as well so that arbitrariness could be avoided. “In this regard, welcome reports have come from Maharashtra, where district administrations warned housing societies that action will be taken against them if they bar delivery of newspapers and domestic helps are not allowed to enter,” he said. — TNS
