BJP proposal to review open spaces policy struck down

The BMC’s municipal secretary department has turned down the BJP’s proposal of re-opening the open spaces policy. On Friday, the office of the municipal secretary dispatched a letter to Ameet Satam, BJP corporator, who had sent a letter demanding to reopen the policy. After its initial flip-flop, the BJP received a lot of flak for not opposing the policy in the general body meeting.

The contentious open spaces policy was passed allowing BMC to give away open spaces for adoption to private entities for five years. While a BJP delegation met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis who ordered a review of the policy, Satam had given a letter to reopen the policy to have a discussion on the policy. The BJP corporator’s demand was struck down on a technical ground. Civic officials said the policy cannot be reopened for three months after it is passed in the general body meeting. “We have rejected it citing the corporation resolution rules,” a senior official said. Narayan Pathade, municipal secretary, confirmed that the letter has been sent.

“It was surprising to see BJP had made the demand through a letter rather than submitting a proper proposal. As far as we are concerned, the matter is closed. If BJP wants to reopen the policy, then it must submit a new proper proposal three months later,” said another senior official.

A senior Sena corporator said it was bound to happen. “A policy cannot be re-opened by giving a letter. BJP is doing drama over the issue. The proposal should be given in the form of notice of motion,” he said. While Satam was unavailable for comment, BJP defended it saying it will take up agenda three months later. “It is just a technical aspect. But it will come up on agenda three months later,” said a senior BJP corporator.