A spat between MCG and DLF over the running of three public libraries in DLF's community centres is far from over. But who is bearing the brunt? Residents.
MCG spent substantial money in developing the libraries and hired a third party to run them — which DLF was opposed to. Hence, despite the three libraries being ready to be opened to the public by December 2015, none of them have been inaugurated.
This has residents miffed, as the only public library the city has is in Old Gurgaon.
According to MCG officials, DLF is opposed to sub-letting them — and that is causing the delay. The RWAs claim that after MCG had floated the tender, they had applied for the contract and met all the requirements. Yet nothing had happened.
“We had written to DLF in September last year, seeking its cooperation in opening the libraries. DLF replied on October 3, saying management or administration of the library could not be transferred to us and that if we attempted to do so, it would be contrary to the law,” said RS Rathee, president of Gurgaon Citizens’ Council.
And now, the residents are at the receiving end.
“We were very happy about the libraries. I am an avid reader and like to spend time with books. But it has been more than a year, and there has been no development. I am getting tired of waiting. The libraries are well equipped, but useless,” complained Vinod Tayal, a resident of DLF Ph II.
MCG remains adamant and says it will invite proposals to run the libraries again.
Divya Puri, AVP, corporate communications, DLF, gave a noncommittal response: “The space has been provided to MCG for running the public libraries, and the books are in place as well.”
