Jaipur, Oct 17 (PTI) Ajmer Mayor Anamika Sharma on Saturday urged newly elected councillors to prioritise cleanliness, maintenance of public parks and women-friendly civic facilities, saying that elected representatives must ensure that public spaces remain clean and accessible to residents.
Addressing the Grassroots Governance and Leadership Fellowship 2026 organised by People for Democracy and Jagan Foundation at the Constitution Club here, Sharma said councillors should pay particular attention to sanitation, public parks and pink toilets for women.
She said people visited parks for morning walks, yoga and exercise to feel refreshed, but poorly maintained and dirty surroundings defeated the purpose.
Sharma urged councillors to regularly inspect parks and other public facilities in their wards and coordinate with municipal officials to address shortcomings.
The mayor said that the councilors should work with the vision to develop their wards while aligning themselves with the vision of Developed Rajasthan and Developed India.
“Councillors should visit parks in their wards at least once a week and ensure they are properly maintained. Elderly people and children visit these parks, and many residents come for yoga and exercise to feel refreshed. But if the parks are dirty, how will they get that positive energy?” Sharma said.
“People will approach you with problems ranging from damaged roads and blocked drains to stray cattle, dogs and monkeys. You must listen to their concerns and work towards practical solutions,” she said.
Sharma said elected representatives should remember that they held office because of the people who voted for them.
“It is the people who have elected us and given us this responsibility and respect. Their needs and concerns must always come first,” she said.
She also urged young councillors to seek guidance from experienced leaders and work towards improving civic services in their areas. She also praised assembly speaker Vasudev Devnani for his approach toward public issues.
The day-long fellowship brought together young and newly elected councillors from different parts of Rajasthan from both BJP and Congress to discuss municipal laws, administrative procedures, financial accountability and ways to address civic problems.
Senior Rajasthan High Court advocate Prateek Kasliwal explained the powers and responsibilities of councillors under the Constitution and the Rajasthan Municipalities Act, 2009.
He said councillors could raise public issues in municipal meetings, seek records, move resolutions and monitor development works, but could not directly exercise the executive powers of municipal officials.
Kasliwal discussed Article 243W of the Constitution which empowers State Legislatures to endow municipalities with the powers, authority, and responsibilities needed to function as self-governing institutions
He also explained the legal provisions relating to sanitation, drainage, waste management, street vendors, encroachments and public spaces.
Kasliwal advised councillors to maintain written records of complaints, seek official responses and regularly monitor the progress of development works.
Educationist Damodar Goyal spoke about the administrative functioning of urban local bodies, municipal budgets and financial accountability.
He discussed the importance of understanding budget allocations, expenditure and administrative procedures to ensure that public funds were used effectively.
Foundation director Malvika Mudgal said that the programme also covered the Right to Information Act, cyber security, citizen participation, public communication and the responsible use of social media.
“Organised under the theme ’30 Leaders. 30 Wards. Better Governance’, the fellowship aims to equip young councillors with practical knowledge of municipal administration and encourage them to play a more effective role in local governance,” she said.
Hindaun Nagar Parishad Vice Chairman Vikram Tomar, Karauli Nagar Parishad chairman Sunil Saini, vice chairman Aminuddin, Tonk Nagar Parishad chairman Mayank Goyalo, councilors from Jaipur, Ajmer, Tonk and other places attended the programme. PTI SDA
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