Citizens under the banner of FACC protest at Azad Maidan to oppose corruption and malpractices in cooperative societies

Mumbai: Fight Against Cooperative Corruption (FACC), a group of citizens from various housing societies involved in housing-related disputes, gathered at Azad Maidan on Tuesday to register their protest against corruption and malpractices at the registration office of the cooperative societies.

The citizens, from Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai, protested against the “civil service mafia” which, they allege, violates the provisions of the law, exploits innocent citizens and protects the accused from punishment. They said they were hopeful of reforms in public interest from the new additional chief secretary of the cooperative department. Yesterday’s protest follows a protest meeting in November last year.

Under the banner of FACC, citizens who have been fighting for justice from Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority, Cooperative Societies and Slum Rehabilitation Authority joined the protest at Azad Maidan. More than 100 people from across the city who say they have faced injustice from the Cooperative Registrar, MHADA officers, SRA officers, BMC officers, police and judicial officers gathered to jointly express their outrage and seek advice gain from legal experts who participated in the meeting.

The protesters said they have faced financial, physical and emotional pain because of the unethical work practices of public officials, who, they allege, have violated legal provisions, delayed legitimate action, deprived citizens of legitimate information and violated laws .

Statement by Reshma Chakraborty, Coordinator of FACC

Reshma Chakraborty, coordinator of FACC, said: “We would like to inform the authorities that civil servants are receiving salaries from taxpayers’ money. They must work within the framework of the law, taking into account fair justice. They cannot ignore the law and ignore citizens because it is their duty to take action within the stipulated time to solve the problems faced by the citizens.”

The citizens said they hope that Rajagopal Deora, the newly appointed Additional Chief Secretary of the Cooperative Department, will bring revolutionary reforms towards better accountability in the work of Deputy Registrars. The protesters said the bureaucrat has a history of implementing rules in the interest of citizens and after taking charge as a senior official in the cooperative department, they expect him to implement reforms so that the clerks cannot break the law violate.

Statement by Kamalakar Shenoy, a social activist

Kamalakar Shenoy, a social activist who was part of the protest, said, “The nation is in danger because of some of the most corrupt MPs, MLAs. councillors, IAS and IPS. There should be a clear sign outside the office of these officials announcing their duties, which have powers without any responsibility. No matter how perfect the rules are, if these officials are not held accountable, no policy will fall into place.”