With an aim to make Delhi ‘green’, the Government of New Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) would double the financial assistance for maintenance of parks and garden across the city. This further means that Delhi Government will give the assistance of Rs 2 lakh for per acre, however, the amount was Rs 1 lakh earlier.
Notably, the grant of financial assistance will now not be linked with the categorisation of colonies.
Interacting on Sunday with RWA president, Delhi Chief Minister said that his Government will provide full support to NGOs and RWAs, registered with Delhi Parks and Garden Society.
Incidentally, over 261 RWAs and NGO were joined interacting session with CM.
“Brainstormed with 200 RWAs this morning on how RWAs could participate in upkeep of parks.
Government will now announce a formal policy. We will involve RWAs, NGOs, corporates and other registered bodies to adopt andmaintain 18,000 parks in Delhi. let’s make Delhi into a city of beautiful parks and gardens ,” Kejriwal tweeted.
The Government will provide 90 per cent assistance while 10 per cent will have to be borne by the RWAs/NGOs, Delhi Government spokesperson said.
CM 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 Delhi Parks and Gardens Society (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.
He 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 Delhiites to participate along with kids to make your city pollution free. Details being worked out ,” Kejriwal tweeted soon after the interaction.
The Chief Minister said the work of the RWAs in making the parks green and maintaining them is very significant.
Environment and Forest Minister Imran Hussain along with the Delhi Pollution Control Committee and some MlAs were present at the meeting.
The Delhi Parks and Gardens Society (DPGS) was established by the Delhi 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 year 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.
In the meeting, Kejriwal also asked about the problems faced by the RWAs/NGOs in maintaining parks and gardens in Delhi.
The problems indicated by the participants ranged from inadequate provision of financial assistance by the DPGS, extensive and cumbersome documentation, inadequate funds for payment of wages to the gardeners/malis, problems in obtaining pruning permission for the trees and plants, high cost for greening/grassing the gardens, scarcity of water, borewells requiring repairs, inadequacies in infrastructure in the parks and security of visitors etc.
The Chief Minister urged the participants to seek involvement of more local residents in the maintenance and development of parks by organising Shramdaan for them.
For ensuring safety and security especially for women in parks and gardens, he asked the participants to approach Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal or call on the helpline number 181 or email at livingpositive@gmail.Com, the statement said.
CM also invited RWAs for public consultation on CCTV cameras on next Sunday (July 28).