Pune: The Pune Municipal Corporation’s decision to sell out 118 amenity spaces to generate revenue across the city hasn’t been accepted or appreciated by citizens and activists. They have sent several objection letters and notices already.
Amenity spaces are public property and are meant for creating public infrastructure for the citizens.
The resident activists believe that the city needs more amenity spaces for various essential utilities and amenities to be built by PMC and Government authorities for the development of the area, providing required infrastructure, and for the welfare and healthcare of citizens.
Activists Ravindra Sinha speaking about the objections from their end said, “Various citizen forums Kharadi, Baner, Pashan, Wanawadi, SopanBaug related to the proposed sale of amenity spaces were handed over to PMC and few of us met the Commissioner. We have objected to the same several times however there hasn’t been much seriousness about it and we will have to now find alternative methods to deal with the same.”
Another lawyer Sattyendra Muley from Baner has sent a legal notice to the PMC in regards to the same.
He said, “I am angry about this step taken by PMC wherein they are wanting to sell the amenity spaces. A Notice U/s 80 of CPC has been issued from my office to the involved authorities. It is subject of grave concern and if required will move the Hon’ble High court and Supreme Court if needed.”
The citizens have asserted that they do want any sale or lease of the land to a private party. They insist that PMC should develop the amenities and land to remain as public land.
Under the PMC – Pune Development Control rules Sec 15.4.1 Development of Amenity Spaces – the amenity spaces are to be utilised for playground, garden, park, yoga meditation parks, primary school, high school, dispensary, fire brigade, police station, post office, electric substation, parking and like other services etc.
It was recently approved by the PMC standing committee chairman Hemant Rasane that these properties will be leased out and not sold and will help out in clearing the encroachments too.