A meeting was held on Saturday, 17^th July 2009 at 5.30 pm at the Seva Kendra Hall.

Residents from across the city converged to protest against the Care-taker policy of the B.M.C.

People who have vested interest to develop ‘open spaces’ for their own gain are trying to have the stay vacated with the help of the B.M.C.

Several groups were invited, i.e. Citispace, AGNI, Citizen’s Forum G/North to support and stall the anti-citizens’ policy.

The Speakers of the evening, Neera Punj and Naina Kathpalia of Citispace, have been in the forefront of protecting ‘open spaces’. The biggest issue taken by them was the “Oval Maidan” and won the same in the Supreme Court. Mrs. Bhagyashree Kelkar, Activist and member of the Citizen’s Forum G/North has not only taken up issues of open spaces in Mahim but also other civic related problems. Mr. Ashok Rawat is not only an Activist, but has also organized several seminars for the Citizens’ Forum on the Right of Information and also helps citizens to file their applications.

It is pertinent to note the B.M.C. is using the stay order as an excuse not to develop or maintain ‘open spaces’. You may not be aware that the B.M.C. has an additional budget of Rs. 400 crore and every ward is sanctioned Rs. 5 crore. Therefore the civic body does not have any reason not to use the amount sanctioned to develop ‘open spaces’.

Citizens please “Wake up” and act immediately, or else, private parties will take up ‘open spaces’, thus denying access to our children and citizens.

Elections are drawing near, hence demand that politicians and political parties promise that ‘open spaces’ will not be given away.

Mona D’Souza