BJP says no to playground, wants market instead
In a controversial move, the BJP-led Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) passed a resolution to change the reservation of a prime plot in Bhayandar from primary school/ playground to market category.
Despite a strong opposition by the Congress members and protests staged by their Shiv Sena counterparts, the BJP on the virtue of the majority passed the resolution in the general body house on Saturday. The proposal to change reservation is related to a land admeasuring 5,800 sq.mt (survey no. 220) in Navghar village.
Interestingly the MBMC has already acquired 5,723 sq.mt in lieu of Transfer Development Rights awarded to the private developer.
“It is nothing but an evil ploy by the BJP to deprive the local populace of much needed amenities and open space by misusing their authority to pamper the rich. We will never allow this injustice,” said Congress corporator Anil Sawant while mooting a counter resolution.
Defending the move, BJP corporator, Dhruv Kishor Patil said, “Alike schools and playgrounds, the region also needs markets for citizens.”
Former mayor and BJP’s own corporator Geeta Jain said, “It is strange that in every other meet they come up with a proposal to de-reserve or change existing reservations. It’s for the administration to check the status of other reservations mainly those tagged with market. After all students will need more schools and playgrounds in near future.”
Mooted under Section 37 of the MRTP Act, the resolution will be sent to the state government for further process including notifications, invitation of suggestions and objections to effect the changes.
“Although the resolution has been passed, we will cross verify the actual need of the changes. It will be ensured that no anti-citizen step is taken,” said MBMC chief Balaji Khatgaonkar. Approved in May-1997, MBMC’s Development Plan has a total of 386 plots which are tagged with various reservations-most yet to be acquired and developed. Interestingly, the existence of the 20 year-old DP ended in 2017, paving way for the preparation of a fresh 20-year vision document till 2037.