New Delhi: Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has said it will hire retired army personnel to oversee the management and security of parks and restored green spaces in the capital.
The authority’s horticulture department issued a notice last month, inviting applications from retired central armed police forces, defence, or govt servants who served at the ranks of naib subedar to captain or equivalent for the post of ‘park manager’.
“The park manager will be in charge of the upkeep of the park, including managing special events and raising flags at the right forum for improvement or amendment. A remuneration of Rs 50,000 per month will be paid. The appointment will be initially for a period of one year, extendable on the recommendation of the directorate horticulture, for a maximum of five years or until age of 65,” stated the circular.
Two managers will be posted in each park on an 8-hour shift on a rotation basis, stated the authority.
The authority recently levied entry fees for a public park in Dwarka’s Sector 16D, which was previously free, leading to protests from residents, with a daily entry fee of Rs 20. While residents questioned why they should have to pay to enter a public park, DDA officials said the imposition of entry fees was done after adding various features to increase footfall.
