Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Oct 6: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has cancelled the allotment of five plots reserved for civic schools to private players under its public-private partnership (PPP) policy.

The decision comes four months after Mumbai BJP chief Ameet Satam wrote to BMC chief Ashwini Bhide and Mayor Ritu Tawde, demanding cancellation of the allotments. Satam had alleged that the policy was framed "in haste" during the previous administrator's tenure, when the BMC's general body was not in existence, and without adequate consultation with elected representatives.

The Congress had also supported the demand.

Following the controversy, the BMC constituted a high-level probe committee headed by Joint Municipal Commissioner Sanjog Kabre to examine the allotments. The committee recommended that the five allotments be cancelled.

Bhide told the Times of India that the committee's report had been accepted.

Seeking further corrective action, Satam said the BMC should constitute a committee to undertake a comprehensive review of the PPP policy. He also called for a detailed discussion on the policy in the civic House before formulating and implementing a balanced and inclusive policy.