Storm of protest against PMC 99-year lease policy

Opposition to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) policy of leasing out properties for 99 years is growing like a gathering storm, with citizens and RTI activists demanding the civic body arrive at a public consensus before leasing out its properties to anyone.


RTI activists have collected signatures of 6,400 Punekars who oppose the 99-year lease system because the PMC loses out on crores of rupees it can otherwise make by going for shorter leases and by charging the market rate.

RTI activists say the 99-year lease policy may favour the builder lobby. They say the term of the lease should not exceed five years.

The PMC, which is not yet ready to stop the practice, may organise a special hearing on the issue soon.

The PMC has about 650 leased-out properties and some of them have been leased out for 99 years to some people and private institutes. The civic body does not have a proper recovery system and has not updated the list of leased-out properties. After a hue and cry over the 99-year lease system, the PMC invited suggestions and objections from the public.

RTI activists Vivek Velankar of the Sajag Nagrik Sangh, Jugal Rathi of the Pune Pravasi Sangh, Sudhir Kaka Kulkarni of the Nagrik Samiti Hakka and Shrikant Kulkarni of the Sinhagad Road Plot Owners Association yesterday submitted a joint memorandum to Deputy Commissioner Naresh Zurmure.

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