Citizens look back in anger against misuse of open spaces in Mumbai

The public anger against the Mumbai local administration's controversial 'Caretaker Policy' for open spaces is mounting with each passing day.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), which rules the commercial capital of the country, has recently revived the 'Caretaker Policy' for open spaces like parks and gardens under which open spaces can be given to private parties for development and maintenance for a minimum of 33 years. The period could be extended indefinitely. It also allows the construction of clubs and restaurants on a part of the open space.

There are public outcry against the government move which the citizens fear is a “back-door entry” for those wanting to commercially exploit open spaces.

Last to join is a social activist from Borivli has moved the Bombay High Court against the controversial caretaker policy. Fifty-two-year-old Rajendra Thacker filed a public interest litigation (PIL) requested the court to facilitate the involvement of the public in the process of formulating the policy..

The PIL says after the 2006 caretaker policy was announced, eight clubs and gymkhanas came up, backed mostly by political parties or commercial organisations.

The policy was stayed following public outcry in 2007. Thacker alleged that reviving

The new caretaker policy says citizens’ groups will be given preference while allotting open spaces but a bidding process will be followed to ensure only the best proposals are selected.

Citizens’ groups fear the reserve price for the development of open spaces will be on the higher side making it difficult for them to bid. “It is reported that an annual maintenance expenditure will be collected from the private party. The allotment will be made to the highest bidder in contravention of the intention to allot it to citizens groups who will never be able to meet the financial criterion,” the PIL states.

Thacker sent legal notices to the corporation and the state government asking them to call for objections and suggestions from the public before finalising the policy. “Not making the draft policy available to the public defeats the intention to make the process transparent,” the PIL states.

The government plans to auction 38 cricket pitches on Oval Maidan, Cross Maidan and Azad Maidan because the present lease deeds have expired. The PIL alleges this is “one more method of depriving citizens of playgrounds, which were available at a nominal rent”.

Thacker has requested the high court to call for records and proceedings with regard to the new caretaker policy. A division bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice DY Chandrachud will hear the PIL on September 30.