Jaipur: The Urban Development and Housing (UDH) department's decision to auction Lakshmi Vilas Palace to hoteliers and Kanak Bhawan to convert into a guest house of the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) has come under fire from civil society.
The civil society has opposed the move while urging the civic body to develop these places as centres for wellbeing of the people.
In a letter to the JDA commissioner, Central Park Bachao Sangarsh Samiti has accused the body of selling public land to fill its treasury chest ignoring the interest of the general public. "The place or the complex can be used to plant herbal plants, shows on yoga, meditation centre, health care and nutrition programmes must be organised to educate the general public visiting Central Park," said Yogesh Yadav, president of Central Park Bachao Sangarsh Samiti.
They demanded that the entire public land known as Rambagh Complex area which includes Rambagh Polo Club, Rambagh Golf Club, Central Park, Lakshmi Vilas Hotesl, Kanak Bhawan and Rambagh stabing must be developed for wellbeing of the people of Jaipur.
The letter also attempts to draw the attention of Delhi which is expanding its green cover. "It is the responsibility of the government to work for the welfare of its people and by expanding the green cover it will provide a healthy ecosystem for its people," said Yadav.
JDA's additional commissioner, additional director (tourism) and joint secretary (GAD) suggested that state government can earn huge revenue after auctioning it to a private player.
