Finally, Team Anna gets to fast on MMRDA land at lowered price

After much deliberation, the activists of India against Corruption (IAC) finally managed to book their place for social activist Anna Hazare’s agitation on the MMRDA grounds in Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC). The ground was booked under the social organisation category by the officials after the allotment was changed to Public Cause Research Foundation (PCRF).

"We have not given them a fresh allotment. However, as per their request, we have changed the allotment from the earlier application to a new application. Under the new application, since PCRF is a registered trust and the IAC volunteers have submitted the relevant documents, the rate applicable is lower than the earlier one. Now IAC will be paying a total rent of Rs7, 78, 718 for a period of five days beginning December 26. They will be also paying Rs5,29, 509 as a refundable deposit with MMRDA," said Anil Wankhede, deputy metropolitan commissioner of the authority.

According to officials, the 30,000 sq metre ground is to be handed over to the IAC by 1 am on December 26. "The main event is for three days, December 27,28 and 29. We are giving two days for set up (December 26) and dismantling (December 30) the pandal to the IAC. The ground has to be handed back to the MMRDA officials on the evening of December 30, by 6 pm," said Wankhede. He further added that out of the total ground, 20,000 sq metres will be utilised for actual event and 10,000 sq metres for parking space. The same plot is being utilised by Isha Foundation at present for the lectures of spiritual guru Jaggi Vasudev. "The ground will be re-laid by Isha foundation before they hand it over to the IAC," said an official.

Officials further informed that the rate applicable earlier was Rs10.80 per sq metre per day including the parking charges. "However, now since a revised application has been received from a registered trust, the rate has been revised to Rs6.80 per sq metre per day. This rate is applicable only for three days of event. The two days when the pendal is being set up and dismantled, the rate applicable will be Rs3.40 per sq metre," said Wankhede. He also added that the revised application from PCRF was admitted under section “social organisation: non-commercial”.