PMC proposes redrawing boundaries of plot reserved for playground.
In spite of the recent directive by the Supreme Court asking civic bodies and state governments to "scrupulously follow directions and safeguards with respect to spaces meant for public amenities", attempts are being made to redraw the boundaries of a public playground in Mundhwa by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC).
Last month, the PMC general body passed a unanimous resolution changing the zoning of 915.78 acres of agricultural land in Mundhwa to residential. In a follow-up, the PMC has now invited suggestions and objections regarding the re-drawing of the boundaries of a playground close to the Mundhwa-Katraj bypass.
Located on Survey Number 55 in Mundhwa, this playground is sandwiched between residential lands. The amendment suggested by the PMC proposes deletion of a portion of the playground from one end and converting the land zoning at the other end from residential to playground.
The PMC also plans to reserve 500 square metres on a plot (Survey No 94-A) for a police chowki. Located in the gaothan area of Mundhwa, it also houses a reservation for a hospital.
Significantly, the Supreme Court directive on respecting reservations for public amenities was made while delivering its judgment in the controversial Sun Dew Apartments case involving ex-chief minister Manohar Joshi's son-in-law, Girish Vyas.
In that case, the PMC had removed the reservation of a primary school and shifted it to Lohegaon to facilitate Vyas' construction company to construct an apartment block on Prabhat Road.
Following the removal of the reservation, Right to Information (RTI) activist Vijay Kumbhar and ex-corporator Nitin Jagtap had moved the Bombay high court to challenge it.
The high court had not only termed the change of reservation as illegal, but had also passed strictures against the then chief minister. While upholding the high court's decision, the Supreme Court, in its 71-page judgment, warned against "tinkering with public reservations".
Commenting on the PMC's action in the Mundhwa case, Kumbhar said that such change of boundaries is normally done to protect vested interests.
"These are ploys employed to favour some people. We would like to know why the boundaries of the playground are being shifted," he asked.
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