CM Kejriwal doubles financial aid for maintenance of parks
NEW DELHI: In an announcement aimed to improve the conditions of parks across the city, AAP government has decided to double the financial assistance provided to Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) and NGOs registered with the Delhi Parks and Gardens Society for maintenance of such parks and gardens. With this move, the existing financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh per acre will increase to Rs 2 lakh per acre.
The announcement was made by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday following a meeting with representatives of over 261 RWAs/NGOs from across Delhi, an official statement said. Kejriwal also announced that the grant of financial assistance will now not be linked with the categorization of colonies. "Brainstormed with 200 RWAs this morning on how RWAs could participate in upkeep of parks. Govt will now announce a formal policy. We will involve RWAs, NGOs, corporates and other registered bodies to adopt and maintain 18,000 parks in Delhi. Let's make Delhi into a city of beautiful parks and gardens (sic)," Kejriwal tweeted.
The government will provide 90 per cent assistance while 10 per cent will have to be borne by the RWAs/NGOs, the statement said.
The chief minister requested the participants at the meeting to get their damaged borewells and motors repaired with the government's support in the next 10 days for which they may give request letters to the DPGS. Thereafter, a uniform policy will be adopted so that no problem is faced by the RWAs/NGOs.
The documentation for release of the assistance will also be reduced to the minimum, but it may be understood that since public money is involved, some essential documentation would still be required, the statement said. Kejriwal requested the RWAs to participate in full strength in the "biggest ever plantation drive to be held in the history of Delhi" next month, details of which will be announced very soon, it said.
"A massive plantation drive being planned. We will urge each Delhiite to participate along with kids to make our city pollution free. Details being worked out (sic)," he said in another tweet. The chief minister said the work of the RWAs in making the parks green and maintaining them was very significant.
Environment and Forest Minister Imran Hussain along with the Delhi Pollution Control Committee and some MLAs was present at the meeting. The Delhi Parks and Gardens Society (DPGS) was established by the Delhi government for monitoring and coordinating management of parks and gardens in the national capital. It has its own governing body and executive committee with directors.
The DPGS provides funds as financial assistance for development and maintenance activities of parks and gardens to RWAs and other registered societies. In the financial years 2017-18, 261 RWAs received financial assistance to the tune of around Rs 1.63 crore for maintaining 1,164 parks covering around 370 acre area, an official said.
