Municipal bodies may deny land for new mohalla clinics

The Delhi government’s plan to set up more mohalla clinics could hit a land hurdle as the civic agencies are likely turn down the request to transfer 121 sites.

Though the three agencies are yet to submit their formal replies, the administrative and deliberative wings have said most of the sites suggested by Delhi government are not fit to establish the facilities.

Of the 121 sites, 48 are under the north corporation. Most of these sites are located inside corporation’s primary schools, community centres, parks or child welfare centres.

North Delhi mayor Preety Agarwal said, “We are short of land for our own projects, so how can we provide land to another agency? Moreover, the Delhi government should first run the existing mohalla clinics properly before setting more clinics.”

On August 23, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had called a meeting with municipal corporation officials to inform them about the requirement for land/ sites for mohalla clinics. The three corporations had to submit the feasibility report to the department of health and family welfare.

No civic body has submitted its reply so far. “The sites belong to multiple departments and collecting replies from them will take time. In two-three cases we have received feedback but the departments have refused to transfer land,” a senior North civic body official said, explaining the reason behind the delay in filing replies.

South corporation officials said land on the premises of schools can’t be used for any other purpose, as per the high court’s directions. Allotment of land in community centres could lead to chaos on days the facilities are booked for social events.

Neema Bhagat, east Delhi mayor, said the land transfer for mohalla clinics is a policy decision and needs approval from the house and the standing committee.

“The process will take lot of time and I don’t think it will receive approval in the house. Though we favour establishing the primary health facilities for citizens, we also need to ensure that it should not lead to chaos or parking issues,” she said.

Apart from that, there are certain locations where clearancce will have to be taken from multiple agencies.

Despite repeated attempts, the Delhi government spokesperson was not available for comment.