Proposal to open schoolgrounds for local children gets UD ministry nod

Playgrounds of schools in Delhi would soon be thrown open for children from the neighbourhood to play.

Playgrounds of schools in Delhi would soon be thrown open for children from the neighbourhood to play.

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Urban development minister Kamal Nath has issued instructions to ensure mandatory use of play fields of the Capital's schools after school hours. Nath's instructions come after Union sports minister Ajay Maken had requested him to make such a provision mandatory for schools that have been allotted land by the DDA.

The DDA has given land, including space for play fields to numerous schools in the Capital, Maken had said in the letter to Nath.

"While the land for school building is allotted on perpetual lease at relatively higher payable costs, the land for play fields is allotted on temporary basis on payment of nominal rent," he had said.

"The proposal of the Union sports minister has been accepted. Further details would be worked out by the Delhi government," Urban Development Secretary Sudhir Krishna told Hindustan Times.

Maken has also written letters to the chief ministers of all the states in the country to implement such a policy in their respective states as well.

"Delhi has no dearth of parks and playgrounds, except in unauthorised localities. But we will still look into their suggestion," said Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit.

Schools, however, feel that there can't be any immediate action on the proposal, as the modalities have to be worked out.

"If the ground would be used 24X7, then where will you find time for maintenance. Also, who is going to be there to monitor who comes in to play. There could be issues like violent acts or bullying. Who would be responsible if something untoward happens?" asked Ameeta Wattal, secretary, National Progressive School Conference and principal, Springdales School, Pusa Road. RWAs have welcomed the move and congratulated Maken over it.