Mumbai BJP chief opposes school plot allocations

MUMBAI: Mumbai BJP president and Andheri West MLA Ameet Satam has strongly objected to the BMC’s public-private partnership (PPP) policy of allotting plots reserved for municipal schools to private institutions, demanding the immediate cancellation of the allocation of five such plots.

In a letter addressed to Mayor Ritu Tawde and the BMC commissioner, Satam said the civic body had already completed the process of allotting five plots reserved for BMC schools to private institutions under the PPP model.

“The policy was framed during a period when the BMC general body was not in existence, and therefore there was no detailed discussion on its terms and conditions, the role of the civic body, or the benefits accruing to the BMC. The policy was implemented in haste without adequate consultation with elected representatives and with a lack of transparency. Prima facie, it appears that the BMC’s interests have suffered under this policy,” Satam said.

He further stated that, considering the larger interests of the BMC and the city, there was a need for an in-depth discussion on the issue after seeking the views of all elected representatives and experts from the education sector.

Demanding corrective action, Satam said, “the BMC must immediately revoke the allotment of the five plots, appoint a committee to comprehensively review the policy, hold a detailed discussion in the civic house, and thereafter formulate and implement a balanced and inclusive policy.”

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