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Amenity spaces on rent: Congress threatens legal route to oppose decision
PUNE The standing committee of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), on Wednesday, cleared the proposal to lease amenity spaces for 90-year periods
PUNE The standing committee of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), on Wednesday, cleared the proposal to lease amenity spaces for 90-year periods.
NCP leader and MP Vandana Chavan opposed the decision and appealed to citizens to raise their voices against it.
The Congress party, on Thursday, threatened to take the matter to court if the ruling party in the PMC, the BJP, did not rethink its decision to lease amenity spaces in the city. Congress leader Aba Bagul said, “In the name of revenue, the ruling party is selling PMC properties.
Amenity spaces are plots or constructed areas reserved for gardens, hospitals, playgrounds, school or other civic amenities.
Standing committee chairman Hemant Rasane said, “This decision will help increase revenue. By leasing out 270 amenity spaces, the civic body will earn ₹1,753 crore.”
Rasane said, “Due to Covid, the municipal corporation earned less. There is a need to search for new sources of income. PMC has a total of 732 amenity spaces in the city spread over 148.37 hectares. PMC already developed 585 amenity spaces. Now 147 amenity spaces remain on 19.31 hectares.”
Rasane added, “As per the PMC policy, we can lease the properties for 30 years, but we will seek the general body’s permission to lease for 90 years.”
Chavan said, “Amenity spaces are important. If these are leased out, there would be no open places and trees in the city. Citizens must come forward and oppose this decision.”
Inquiry into outstanding dues
Standing committee chairman Hemant Rasane has instructed the administration to conduct an inquiry into previously allotted amenity places and pending dues with said operators.
Rasane said, “PMC had given various properties on lease. Till March 2021, total dues from 1,625 leased properties was ₹34 crore. Political members are using rented properties at nominal rates and then not paying rent.”
