There is a dearth of open space in Mumbai and a draft policy to regulate these plots has invited flak from none other than the BJP-Shiv Sena leaders who control the BMC.

The civic body has prepared a draft policy that intends to rescind the caretaker policy and make the existing adoption policy harsher.  The opposition may force civic officials to dilute the proposal by bringing changes to it.

In fact, the changes may dilute the original plan that would have barred misuse of open plots by politicos and other major organisations. BMC sources say there are little open spaces left in Mumbai to be provided for adoption.

Presently, there are 1,052 open plots in the metropolis, including parks, recreational grounds and playgrounds, of which 186 are under adoption, over 700 have been developed and 160 are being taken up for maintenance by the civic garden department.

Only after the amended policy is approved by a majority of group leaders, will it be forwarded to the state government. In 2007, there was a stay on the adoption and the caretaker policy in the wake of outcry from activists.

Following the stay, neither the BMC could give new plots to different bodies for adoption nor could it take back plots given on adoption basis to organisations, unless they received serious complaints about them.

As per the draft policy, only organizations having a sound financial base can adopt and maintain big parks. Interested parties will have to show a turnover of Rs 10 lakh to Rs 5 crore per year, which should be consistent over the last five years. Organisations wanting plots for adoption should also have a horticulture expert.