Mumbai civic body to NGOs, citizens: Play within ground rules

The BMC administration held a meeting on Friday for objections to be raised on its adoption policy for open spaces under the public-private partnership (PPP) model for the development of sports facilities in grounds. However, the administrative officer clarified during the meeting that civic authorities can hear suggestions to change points in the policy, but not to cancel the entire policy. Guardian Minister (suburbs) Mangal Prabhat Lodha has backed the PPP model and suggested that the BMC take a decision on the policy within 30 days as the city needs sports facilities.

The BMC published a draft ‘Open Space Adoption Policy' in September. Citizens and NGOs opposed the policy and the BMC received over 100 suggestions/ objections mainly opposing the policy. Suburban Guardian Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha held a meeting in September where NGOs opposed the policy. Another meeting was organised by Lodha on Friday (December 1) at the BMC headquarters for citizens' views regarding the proposal.

BMC says it doesn't have expertise to set up sports facilities. File pic

"The purpose of this meeting was to bring citizens, the administration and government officials together for policy discussions and to take the right decision in public interest by consensus," Lodha said. Meanwhile, the NGOs and citizens present opposed the move saying that BMC should develop and maintain gardens. A few NGOs also said that the BMC does not maintain the grounds properly and a fee should be levied.

Ex-corporators of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were also present in the meeting in large numbers, along with representatives of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), the Shinde Sena former Congress corporators. Former Congress corporators Ashraf Azami and Sheetal Mhatre opposed the move. "There are already many grounds grabbed by BJP politicians. First, take all the grounds back from them and then discuss the issue. The BJP wanted to implement the policy and it is just an eyewash," said Mhatre. The meeting came to a standstill for a few minutes as the former corporators walked out of the hall to register a strong protest.

mid-day published a report on November 18 that the BMC committee is planning to push the PPP model to develop grounds. Kishor Gandhi, deputy municipal commissioner (garden department) presented the same model for development of grounds in the public meeting. He said that the BMC can take a hearing of people's suggestions or objections to anything under the policy, but a hearing cannot be taken to cancel the policy. "Citizens may have doubts due to past experiences with the 26 plots that are with private institutes even now. But the PPP policy is needed to develop sports infrastructure on the grounds as the BMC does not have sports experts for maintenance and training. Private institutes cannot afford the huge cost of plots in the city. The BMC will control the fees and online entries. Even the private institute will have separate accounts to maintain records. It is just a policy to develop grounds without tenders," he said.

Meanwhile, Lodha said that he can only give suggestions to the BMC depending on public opinion. He suggested that PPP model be used for the development and maintenance of grounds. According to Lodha, in doing so, the BMC can help government institutes, public sector undertakings and sports authorities or organisations to provide better sports facilities to citizens. Lodha advised that a decision on the policy be taken within 30 days as there is a lack of sports facilities, parks and grounds and a separate decision should be taken for the 26 parks adopted on a private basis.

100
Approx No. of objections to the policy

BMC to rent gardens for photoshoots

The BMC is also considering charging a fee of R400-500 to allot a time slot for photoshoots in its gardens as many people ask for permission for pre-wedding shoots. "During the afternoon, when the gardens are closed for cleaning and maintenance from 1 pm to 3 pm, we can give slots to people for photoshoots. It will also help us advertise our gardens on social media through their photos. The BMC is thinking of levying a minimal fee for it," said Gandhi.

Public-private partnership (PPP) model

BMC officials said there are demands for international-level facilities for sports such as tennis and cricket. Though the BMC may put money into developing them, it doesn't have the expertise to set up sports facilities. There needs to be some sustainable model for developing such facilities for citizens and so the civic body has considered the PPP model.

Under the PPP model, fees will be decided upon and collected by the BMC and a part of the funds will be given to private institutions. So, the civic body will still be in charge. Some visitors may be allowed to enter at subsidised rates or facilities will be made available to regular people at a specific time of the day. These all are just suggestions. The final discussion in this regard however, is yet to be taken by the authorities.