Noida residents demand representation in authority's board

On the occasion of Noida's 38th anniversary, residents today urged for public representation in the authority's board which they claimed was filled with bureaucrats.
Several resident welfare associations have claimed that New Okhla Industrial Development Authority, which was founded on April 17, 1976 under the UP Industrial Area Development Act, continues to consist of bureaucrats as members of its board despite provision for five public representatives.
"We have sent several reminder letters to Uttar Pradesh chief ministers over the last decade requesting for representation of general public and a member of Federation of Noida Residents Welfare Association on Noida Board but till date nothing has been done," FONRWA President N P Singh said.

Noida Authority Board comprises all bureaucrats and do not have any public representative, he added.
Industrialists too have been demanding representation from their community along with that of local MLA and MP.
Noida Entrepreneur Association president Vipin Malhan said, "We have demanded that one member of the board should represent the industrialists' community, who will look after the welfare of the local industries".

Vimla Batham, a resident and an entrepreneur, said public representatives will provide accountability to the board.
"Local MP and MLA should be included in board beside few other prominent residents from the city," she said.
"We fail to understand why state governments are not nominating the five members from public. We have requested traders representation," President of Sector 18 Traders Association Kidar Bansal said.

A public survey conducted by management institute students too has claimed that 72 per cent of residents agree that the board should have public representation while those who disagree constitute 24 per cent.
Noida was constituted in 1976 by the then Chief Minister Narain Datt Tiwari. Several cultural and sports events were organised to mark the day.