MUMBAI, May 21 -- The BMC's decision to hand over six civic-run schools to private parties under the public-private partnership (PPP) model has drawn criticism. The PPP model has, however, been opposed by the civic education committee and Congress MLA Amin Patel, who has written to municipal commissioner Ashwini Bhide, stating that the decision would set a wrong precedent. He said the PPP policy was adopted before the BMC elections earlier this year and hence no detailed discussion appears to have taken place regarding its criterion. "It appears that a decision is being implemented in haste, and there is concern that instead of benefiting, it may actually result in losses," Patel said in his letter on May 19. Providing free education to children is the primary responsibility of the BMC, Patel pointed out. "The allotment of land parcels should not be allowed to proceed through administrative orders or under pressure from any authority. Such actions should be thoroughly investigated, and strict legal action should be taken against any irregularities to prevent losses," the letter states. Patel said detailed discussions with all elected representatives and education experts must be held. "The allotment process should be immediately cancelled and a committee appointed to reconsider the entire policy," he added....