Adoption policy for open spaces passed

Despite fierce opposition from civic activists, the controversial recreational ground-playground (RGPG) policy was passed by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Wednesday. Based on this policy, open spaces in the city will now be allotted only on an adoption basis, which does not allow any construction on the plot.

With the BJP already making its intentions clear to support the policy, its approval had become a mere formality. Though the opposition parties made a huge hue and cry, their efforts proved futile as the ruling Shiv Sena-BJP enjoyed a majority in the civic house.

Under the new RGPG policy, the civic body has scrapped the caretaker policy, which was in the eye of controversy due to misuse of open spaces, and decided to allot plots only on adoption basis. However, the policy has been slammed by citizen groups who have demanded that the BMC should maintain city open spaces on its own, instead of giving them to private agencies.

Opposition leader Devendra Amberkar from Congress alleged that the policy has been made only for big clubs and multinational companies. It should be scrapped as common people will be deprived of open spaces in the city with this policy, he added.

He was supported by other opposition parties such as NCP, MNS and Samajwadi Party who said the policy is favourable only to those organisations that have financial power.

However, refuting their allegations, senior BJP corporator Dileep Patel said that the opposition is trying to mislead citizens by saying the policy allows violation of open spaces. “The RGPG policy nowhere mentions that construction would be allowed on open spaces, except if the BMC officials permit in cases such as construction of toilets,” he said.