Womens’ self-help groups oppose move to hand over Rs 300-crore Mumbai civic body plot to NGO

Mumbai city news: The group leaders of political parties in the civic body recently passed a proposal by the Sena to provide a 3,000sqm plot at Vakola to a Bangalore-based organisation for providing mid-day meals to civic students. The market price of the plot is estimated to be at least Rs300 crore

Self help groups that provide mid day meals to over 1,200 civic schools in Mumbai protested on Friday against Sena’s proposal to provide a plot in Vakola to an NGO for free.

The proposal is awaiting reply from the municipal commissioner which will be tabled in next group leader meeting. (HT)

“The self help group has been making mid day meals for civic schools for years. Why were we not considered when the plot was given away? The plot is just being handed over following due procedure,” said Kavita Deshmukh, a member.

The group leaders of political parties in the civic body recently passed a proposal by the Sena to provide a 3,000sqm plot at Vakola to a Bangalore-based organisation for providing mid-day meals to civic students. The market price of the plot is estimated to be at least Rs300 crore.

However, it is being alleged that the plot is being given away without weighing contenders.

The BMC recently acquired the plot from a five-star hotel after a long battle fought by local corporators and residents.

Sena has said that the organisation will be providing meals free-of-cost to 5,000 civic students. But corporators allege the prime plot could be misused by private entities.

The proposal is awaiting reply from the municipal commissioner which will be tabled in next group leader meeting.