‘Open spaces: MCGM failed to issue notices to ‘big fishes’’ “W
Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam on Tuesday alleged that the civic body has failed to send notices to some of the ‘influential’ organisations that are controlling the open spaces under the interim policy, whereas, civic chief Ajoy Mehta has denied the claims and has cleared that the civic body will send the notices at the earliest.
Days after Mehta sanctioned the interim policy of open spaces; the Indian National Congress party with various civic activists slammed the civic body’s interim policy alleging that it was brought under BJPShiv Sena alliance.
Under the interim policy, a private organisation will be allowed to keep the open space for a period of 11 months for maintenance purposes. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had said that the plots will be taken back. However, few months after, Fadnavis said that the plots can be given to the private organizations.
A team of civic activists led by Nirupam on Tuesday met Mehta citing their concerns for the policy. They further slammed the policy saying that the plots will be privatized and this will hugely hamper the city’s open spaces.
After which the civic body was supposed to send notices to all people controlling the plots that are under the civic body. However, Nirupam on Tuesday said that out of the 216
e will be serving the notices to all the 90 plots at the earliest.”
plots in the city, the civic body has not send notices to 90 plots as they were in control of ‘influential persons’. Nirupam said, “These 90 plots belong to the ‘Big Fishes’ and have great influences with the ruling party in the civic body.”
Municipal Commissioner Ajoy Mehta while talking to the Free Press Journal said, “We will be serving the notices to all the 90 plots at the earliest. Also the maintenance agreement will be of 11 months which will be given to the various organisations or NGOs who wish to take care of it. No plot will be given on lease.”
The privatisation of city’s open spaces have been a real concern for the citizens since the opposition parties with activists are still awaiting clarity on the interim policy from the civic body.