HC raps civic agencies, govt on upkeep of children's parks

Unhappy over the indifference of Delhi's civic agencies towards maintaining children's parks in the national capital, the Delhi High Court has pulled up the government and authorities, saying everything exists "only on paper" and not implemented.
"We are pained to note that the directions issued in our orders dated July 16 and October 29, 2014 remain uncomplied. Our personal awareness of the parks in the vicinity of our residences also does not demonstrate any improvement therein.
"It is quite evident that even the little which the agencies who have at least filed their responses/affidavits in these proceedings, claim to have done is also only on paper and has not translated on the ground. We are sure that each of the said agencies must be having a huge budget for maintenance and upkeep of the parks. We wonder where all that money goes," bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice R S Endlaw 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.
Amicus curiae, senior advocate Nidhesh Gupta, handed over the photographs of over 15 parks, saying the parks instead of appearing to be grassy and green are all shown as patches of kachcha uneven land with neither any proper vegetation nor any cleanliness.
The counsel for South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC), however, opposed the amicus claim and filed an affidavit along with photographs stating that they have drafted guidelines for development and maintenance of children parks.