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Proposes to give ‘right to first refusal’ for open plot to local resident associations, housing federations. In an attempt to stub out opposition from citizens’ groups over plans to
re-introduce the controversial caretaker policy for open spaces, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has proposed that the ‘right of first refusal’ for an open plot will be with a
local residents’ association or a housing federation. Only after these groups express an inability to beautify and maintain a large-sized public recreation ground or a playground, would
applications from private firms be entertained. The BMC is likely to incorporate this clause while formulating a fresh draft on guidelines for the caretaker policy. The controversial policy,
which permits a private party to build clubhouses, restaurants and other recreational amenities on a portion of an open space, has been stayed since December 2007 following public outcry.
There have been attempts to revive the policy of late. It began with the state urban development department directing the BMC to permit the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), which was
allotted a recreational ground in Kandivli in 2005, to carry out construction. The Sena-led BMC followed this up by announcing plans to formulate fresh guidelines to work around the stay.
Citizens’ groups have demanded a repeal of the policy. There is a catch to the BMC’s ‘citizen-friendly’ proposal. The body is likely to insist on a reserve price for the development of open
spaces. Applicants will be required to spend this amount towards the beautification of a plot. The reserve price, which will be arrived at on the basis of expenditure incurred by the BMC for
developing such facilities, is likely to be on the higher side. Even as officials said this was being proposed to ensure that those who are allotted the plots maintain basic facilities for
the general public, higher costs could deter public participation. While allotting large plots to private firms on a caretaker basis, the BMC has plans to demand beautification as well as
the handing over of the 75% area to be left open before granting permission to construct amenities on the remaining portions of the plot. Additional municipal commissioner Aseem Gupta,
however, insisted that the new policy draft was yet to be finalised. He revealed that it promotes transparency, increases citizens’ participation, and provides higher public access to
amenities. The civic body has already initiated an audit of the status of its open spaces. “Those found most vulnerable will be taken up for development first,” Gupta said. Also, the civic
body plans to collect annual maintenance expenditure of plots from the private party involved. The bidder quoting the highest price, which has to be above the reserve price, will be eligible
to be allotted the plot on a caretaker basis. The money thus collected will be used to set up a green fund. _—With inputs from Priyanka Sharma_