Mumbai News: Activist Kamlakar Shenoy Files Complaint Against SRA CEO For Restricting Public Entry During Designated Meeting Hours

Mumbai: The chief executive officer of the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) has been accused of restricting citizens from visiting the authority’s office during public meeting hours. A complaint has also been written to the police urging strict action against the official for imposing an arbitrary restriction.

Activist Kamlakar Shenoy has alleged that the SRA has restricted the entry of citizens, including affected individuals, into its office during designated public meeting hours from 2pm to 5pm from April 1. He alleged that this restriction indirectly denies the citizens to question delays and press for transparency and accountability of public servants.

The activist, who had earlier raised concerns against the state government’s decision to mandate a mobile application to allow entry into Mantralaya, has now highlighted the restriction of accessing SRA.

He wrote to the chief executive officer of SRA demanding to immediately revoke the denial of public entry and to issue a public notification reinstating the right of citizens to enter the SRA office during designated hours. He also demanded that strict action be taken against officials responsible for imposing such an arbitrary restriction.

Shenoy also forwarded the complaint to the Nirmal Nagar police station, deputy commissioner of police (zone-8) and the additional commissioner of police western region warning them that there is a possibility of any cognisable offence taking place due to “such an illegal and arbitrary decision.”

Through the complaint, Shenoy asked the authority’s CEO to provide copies of legal provisions, rules or government resolutions that authorise the denial of public entry during designated meeting hours. He also urged the CEO to clarify the process for citizens to address their grievances regarding delays. He also asked for details of the prescribed actions against public servants who have failed to discharge their duty.

Shenoy also asked the official to provide details of public consultations, discussions, or stakeholder meetings conducted before imposing such a restriction. The letter also asked for a copy of the final reasoned order issued by the competent authority explaining the rationale behind restricting public access.

“Such restrictions are arbitrary, illegal, and violate the fundamental principles of transparency, accountability, and public participation in governance. Preventing public access to a public office during designated hours only raises suspicion about malpractices and a lack of willingness to address public grievances. All public servants are employed to serve the citizens and not to dictate illegal orders to harass them by denying their fundamental rights,” said Shenoy.

The Free Press Journal contacted Mahendra Kalyankar, chief executive officer of SRA, but he denied commenting on the issue.