CARROT AND STICK (Originally written 28th Sep. 2006).

Sometime back, the MCGB bosses were depressed that the Vaitarna Dam Project has been put down by Delhi. They have promised to plant trees to replace those that would need to be cut down. This scheme took years in preparing and all knew that trees had to be cut, locals relocated, but no attempt has been made till date to plant the trees or relocate persons, ahead of scheme implementation. Actually this is the last thing on their minds. To hell with the environment and the poor. The same thoght process or rather lack of it, applies to so many of the Mumbai renewal projects under various names and schemes.

While hundreds of crores of rupees (now thousands) are sought to be spend from the tax payers money to put up grand projects, no thought is given to:

1. return money to the tax payer / housing complex that install ground water charging.

2. return money to the tax payer who consume less water and electricity, by charging exponentiallyhigher rates for higher consumption. The base line must depend on the economic level of householder.

3. return money to the tax payer who use well water for washing.

4. return money to the the tax payer who do vermicomposting.

5. return money to the housing complexes that keep 'saaf aangan'.

6. return money to the housing complexes that provides for internal parking for cars.

7. return money to housing complexes that nurture and maintain approved trees.

8. return money to housing complexes that permit 'roving hawkers' to conduct business for say one hour daily.

9. return money to housing complexes that maintain and run baalwadi, creche, home for senior citizen, etc.

It is well known that in this city of 'greed and fear' its either 'the money or the stick' that works. So pay the citizens not to do things that spoil our life/envronment.

In case some think that this is bribery ... think again ... it works. After all its the tax payers money anyway. Return money through Municipal Tax deductions and/or Sales Tax Coupons and/or Income Tax Coupons. Thus the paying people will get the benifit and not the sponges and lurkers. The bottom ten percent of India can then get development funds for education, health and better food, since funds for grand projects can be put to better use. The added advantage is that the black money generation will come down since the fifteen percent leakages from grand schmes/new projects will reduce.