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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Private trusts running public plots may come under RTI

Private trusts running public plots may come under RTI

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published Published on Apr 24, 2012   modified Modified on Apr 24, 2012
-The Times of India
 
The amended draft policy on open spaces is ready and the BMC plans to bring private trusts managing public spaces under theRTI Act. If the plan is approved , trusts looking after recreation grounds (RGs), playgrounds (PGs), parks and gardens-on adoption or caretaker basiswill have to share details of their operationswiththe public . 

The move comes after the BMC caught flak at a civic improvementscommittee meeting in March over the ambiguity in the draft guidelines . The draft policy will be sent to civic chief Subodh Kumar for approval before being tabled again before the improvements committee andthe generalbody meeting of the BMC. It will then go to the government for final approval. 

TOI is in possession of the circular on the amendment . 

A civic official said : "Plots given away on adoption or caretaker basis are reserved public lands . We felt the public has the right to know details of the plots , how they are being developed , how funds are being secured and utilized etc. To make the system more transparent , we proposed to bring private trusts managing open spaces under the RTI Act." 

Private trusts will have to put up a board with details of the plot they are in charge of. 

The caretaker policy will continue to apply to RG plots with over 5,000 sq m area . The draft policy had recommended that for RG plots above 5,000 sq m given on caretaker basis , only 25% would be in the private trust's possession . The remaining 75% would be with the BMC. 

Activists contended that allotting 25% of RG plots to private players would leave them vulnerable to commercial exploitation . It was also suggested in the draft policy that private trusts be asked to pay Rs 3,000/ sq m for the remaining 75% of the RG plot to the BMC, which the civic body would utilize to develop the ground or provide other civic amenities . "There are 7-8 clubs that have got plots on caretaker basis . Their owners have developed open plots given to them . So , this amount will not be imposed on them ," the official said . 

The amended draft plan for open spaces states that the caretaker policy will stay and apply to RG plots with an area of more than 5,000 sq m. 

BMC's earlier draft open space policy had recommended that only 25% of an open RG plot (5,000 sq m and above) would be in the possession of a private trust if given away on caretaker basis and the remaining 75% would be with the BMC. 

Activists objected to 25% of an RG plot remaining with private players, arguing that this would make it vulnerable to commercial exploitation. They also said this was an "ecologically unsound" concept and could cause damage to the city's ecology.

The Times of India, 24 April, 2012, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Private-trusts-running-public-plots-may-come-under-RTI/articleshow/12846353.cms


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