Proposal to allocate AMC land to private schools opposed

Sabarmati: The leader of opposition in the Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) Shahezadkhan Pathan has questioned the proposal of allocating land to privately run Prakash school in the Vastrapur area on a 99-year lease.

In a controversial proposal before the standing committee of AMC, several land parcels are proposed to be allocated to private schools on 99-year leases for the purpose of playgrounds. These schools collect huge fees and donations from parents. Many of these schools deny admission unless the parents produce some powerful connection in IAS or IPS lobby, law and justice domain or ministerial or chief ministerial office. These influential schools are now eyeing to cover AMC land for the purpose of the playground on a 99-year lease.

One of the schools in this proposal is the Prakash school in Vastrapur area which seeks control over 5,000 square var land for 25 percent rate of Jantri value. A dubious practice of allocating land located next to the schools as playgrounds was started by AUDA (Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority). A petitioner namely Nilesh Mistry had moved High Court against violation of conditions of allotment of such lands. The school managements had literally cordoned such land parcels with boundary walls and public visitors were not allowed entry even after school time, in violation of condition. DeshGujarat