Mumbai-based group opposes fee waiver to Team Anna

Mumbai: Team Anna's proposed fast against Lokpal draft in Mumbai is facing opposition from a local group.

Uttar Bharatiya Mahasangh, a group based in Mumbai, has objected granting any fee waiver or concession to Team Anna for using the MMRDA grounds.

Team Anna had earlier requested Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithiviraj Chavan to give a fee waiver or provide better facilities at the Azad Maidan in Mumbai.

So far Chavan has not replied.

India Against Corruption (IAC), the NGO spearheading Anna Hazare's proposed fast in Mumbai, on Tuesday had expressed shock at the prohibitive cost of hiring the MMRDA ground and asked the Maharashtra government to waive it entirely or allow use of Azad Maidan for the agitation.

"We were shocked to find that the average cost per day would come to almost Rs two lakh. We therefore request you to waive the entire charge or allow substantial financial relief," Praful Vora of IAC, said in a letter to Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan.

The letter sought immediate intervention of the Chief Minister, saying "the matter is most urgent", a day after the NGO secured permission from MMRDA to use its ground in Bandra-Kurla complex.

The NGO pointed out that it is a 'not-for-profit' organisation and was working for a public cause.

"If exemption in the huge costs at MMRDA is not possible, it is our request that adequate arrangements be made at Azad Maidan to enable citizens to join the protest of Annaji from December 27. We believe that 50,000 to 100,000 visitors will want to visit every day," Vora said.

Mayank Gandhi, Mumbai Co-oridnator, India Against Corruption said, "We had planned protest in Azad Maidan, but it's a small ground. Government has given us MMRDA ground but they are asking for Rs 2 lakh per day , its too much."

"We have asked government to give another place. We will file a PIL in court against this as to protest is our right and to provide place is government's duty," he added.

Gandhi said that they were now looking for another ground or requesting government to reduce the cost.

"Cost of MMRDA is coming around 17 lakhs for three days, including police, fire brigade and other cost. Many donors came forward to help, but Anna Hazare intervened and said that we don't want a five-star protest," he said.

Sources in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority said Team Anna would be required to pay Rs 34.8 lakh for using the ground for 15 days.

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