Blaming any one segment - i.e. the local administration, the political leaders or the pathetic citizenry - for the sorry state of affairs will be improper as they all have an equal stake here. And yet the administration will find itself being named first on whose doors the blame can be laid. While it is easy to say that citizens here do not abide by rules, it is difficult to understand why the civic and district administrations refused to take cognisance of the problems when they were in their nascency. The over 90 per cent illegal structures or the mountains ofgarbage which refuse to disappear did not happen overnight. So what were the officials doing since 1974, when Class I cadre officers began to be appointed as chief officers, tehsildars, sub-divisional officers? Are they not guilty of negligence?

If the answer is in the affirmative, what action did the government initiate against such irresponsible officials? There is not even a single instance of any official facing the music for negligence in duty down the years. Interestingly, most of the same officials (during whose regime the unauthorised constructions noticed a spurt) today occupy very senior positions in the government. It is shocking but true that some of them have even been nominated to the IAS! The government owes an explanation to the people. Why has the principle of accountability in administration been waived for Ulhasnagar? Agreeing with this view, urban development secretary Nand Lal says: ``By omission or commission either way if officials have neglected duties, they should have been pulledup at the right moment. It would have saved both the state and the citizens of Ulhasnagar a whole lot of bother.''

Then why didn't it happen? ``Political interference put paid to plans of pulling up officials who suited the local political scheme of things,'' admits Nand Lal, lamenting, ``it was very unfortunate that the state stood mute witness as this was happening.''

According to Nand Lal, the problem gets further aggravated because Ulhasnagar happens to be one of the areas (along with Mira-Bhayander and the KDMC area) where most of the approximately 42 per cent urbanisation in the state is happening. ``In spite of this rate of urbanisation, investment from both the government and public sector in these areas still remains very less, which contributes to the lack of infrastructural development,'' he explains.

The lack of cohesiveness in the predominantly Sindhi community has also helped in its own way. While both the BJP and the Congress have used the community for scoring politically and foreconomic support, they have never worked toward solving the problem of illegal structures, insanitation or the thriving politico-criminal nexus. Otherwise how can one explain the paradox of the thriving trade and commerce and the total lack of civic facilities?Residents here have their own laws and rules. ``It is almost like a state within a state,'' veteran BJP leader Prahlad Advani had once remarked about this place. Though one can empathise with their plight about having to go to the HC even to get their town cleaned, aren't these the same citizens who will twist every rule in the book to ensure that their illegal extra floor is not demolished?

Now that citizens have got their act together, they should not ease the pressure unless they get the state government to ensure that they are given facilities on par with citizens of neighbouring corporations. Unless citizens shake off their apathy and mobilise themselves, there is little hope for Ulhasnagar. And yes, charity could begin from home.

This willmake the state government provide for better administration with officials who will not be mere puppets in the hands of the corporators, ensuring a speedy recovery of the civic body.

Yogesh Pawar is a reporter with The Indian Express. He covers Thane district.