Opposition from Corporators to Privatization of School Reservation Land in Punawale

Decision to be taken in the interest of local citizens and students

Pimpri-Chinchwad | Special Correspondent | Local Corporators have also opposed the administration’s proposal to hand over approximately 0.91 hectares (about 2 acres 99 gunthas) of land reserved for a secondary school in Punawale to a private organization at a nominal rent of ₹7 crore on a long-term lease of 30 years.

Corporators have stated that, in the interest of local citizens and students, the secondary school reservation in Punawale should be developed by the Municipal Corporation itself, similar to the school developed in Wakad. They will draw the attention of the General Body towards this issue during the upcoming municipal meeting.

The land in question, located in Punawale under Ward No. 25, Survey Nos. 38 (part) and 44 (part), is clearly reserved as a ‘Secondary School’ in the Development Plan (DP) and is currently under the possession of the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation. The Pimpri-Chinchwad Housing Society Federation had earlier objected to the proposal, stating that handing over such an important public-use land for privatization goes against public interest. Local residents and housing society members have also expressed dissatisfaction with the administration’s stance.

Citizens, cooperative housing societies, and social organizations have become increasingly vocal against this privatization proposal. In this context, the Pimpri-Chinchwad Societies Federation had submitted detailed representations to the Chief Minister’s Office, Municipal Commissioner, Mayor, and Divisional Commissioner.

It is being argued that leasing this high-value land to a private institution for 30 years at a nominal amount of around ₹7 crore is economically unjustified and detrimental to public property. Such a decision may also impact the Municipal Corporation’s future revenue and education policy. However, the proposal pending before the Standing Committee has now been forwarded to the General Body for wider discussion.

Residents of the Punawale area and various organizations are demanding that the Municipal Corporation reconsider the proposal, keeping in mind the future of students, protection of public assets, and the right to affordable education. They have also stressed that transparency should be maintained in the decision-making process.

The proposal to lease the school reservation land to a private institution has been brought by the administration. The Standing Committee had recommended that it be placed before the General Body. The issue involves ₹7 crore of revenue for the Municipal Corporation, but housing society members have opposed it. Whether to approve it or not requires detailed discussion in the larger public interest. Therefore, the matter has been forwarded to the General Body.
– Abhishek Barne, Chairman, Standing Committee:

We oppose handing over the school reservation land to a private institution. The Municipal Corporation should construct the school itself there. We will raise this demand with the Commissioner.
– Reshma Bhujbal, Corporator, Ward 25:

The Municipal Administration has already built a modern, well-equipped school in Wakad. On similar lines, the school reservation in Punawale should also be developed by the administration.
– Shruti Wakadkar, Corporator, Ward 25:

I came to know about this privatization proposal through the media. Leasing the land to a private institution at a nominal fee is inappropriate. I will obtain detailed information and pursue the matter. A decision will be taken in the public interest.
– Rahul Kalate, Corporator, Ward 25:

We oppose the privatization of the school reservation. The administration should construct a school here so that children from economically weaker sections can access education facilities.
– Kunal Vavhalkar, Corporator, Ward 25:

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