Delhi HC raps civic agencies on upkeep of children's parks

Unhappy over the indifference of Delhi's civic agencies towards maintaining children's parks in the national capital,Delhi High Court today pulled up the government and authorities, saying everything exists on paper but nothing in reality.
"It seems like we cannot expect anything from government agencies and civic bodies here," the bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice R S Endlaw said, adding that "things are only on paper. It's not been implemented".
"We want the policy being drafted by the corporations to be implemented. It appears that Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi Development Authority (DDA), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) etc. Only do paper work to satisfy the court but they hardly bother to implement it," the court said.

The court came down heavily on the authorities after it was informed that civic agencies had submitted misleading and false reports on maintenance of parks in the capital and nothing had actually been done to improve their condition.
The bench also observed that huge amounts were earmarked for the maintenance of the parks, but where that money goes "no one knows". It said "now responsibilities will have to be fixed on each officer of the civic bodies".
While fixing the matter for April 11, the bench said it would pass a detail order in this regard.
The High Court had taken up the issue after a letter highlighting the poor condition of children's parks in the capital was written by Supreme Court judge Justice Kurian Joseph. The judge, who had gone to the Children's Park at India Gate, had complained about the park's dilapidated condition.

The court had directed all civic agencies to file a report on the status of parks in their areas and had appointed senior advocate Nidhesh Gupta as amicus curiae to look into the issue. Gupta had filed a report before the court alleging that the status reports submitted by DDA, NDMC and municipal corporations were misleading.