- Leaseholder shopkeepers in 64 markets
- Rooms given to 5,500
Nagpur. The rooms were allotted by the Municipal Corporation in the authorized markets located in different parts of the city. Years ago, the rent of the leased markets has been very low in the past. As per the decision of the State Government 3 years ago, the lease rent was imposed on these lease holders on the basis of ready reckoner. This may have been opposed for some time but finally now the lease rent is being decided on the basis of ready reckoner.
In this way, dues of lakhs of rupees are coming out on many lease holders. In order to fill the coffers of the Municipal Corporation and to provide some relief to the lease holders also, Municipal Commissioner Radhakrishnan B. Announced Abhay Scheme for Licensed Shopkeepers. Under this, if the lease rent is paid in lump sum by March 31, then the amount of penalty will be waived.
multiple attempts
According to sources, there are about 64 authorized markets of the Municipal Corporation in different parts of the city in which 5,500 shopkeepers have been allotted rooms on lease. In many markets, rooms have been rented out to others by the original leaseholder. According to the rules, it is mandatory to take a no-objection certificate from the Municipality before giving the shop to others. Rooms cannot be given on rent to others without the permission of the Municipal Corporation. In such a situation, many rooms are now occupied by other than the original leaseholder.
Also since the rooms were acquired earlier on very low lease rent and rent. Therefore, according to the new rates, many shopkeepers are not ready to pay the lease rent, due to which matters are stuck. In the past also, the administration had launched a special campaign to solve these issues. Even for 3 days, an attempt was made to resolve the issue by taking a meeting of the lease holders in the Standing Committee Auditorium located at the Municipal Headquarters, but the matter could not be resolved.
The dues of the market department are increasing
According to sources, despite the rooms being allotted on lease in the main market areas, the Municipality earned only 12.50 crores due to the low lease rent, which many attempts were made to increase it, but the lease holders always opposed it. In many markets under the market department of Municipal Corporation, where the Oates were allotted, the lease holders made permanent shops in their place but refused to pay the lease rent. Due to this the fine has increased every year. It is believed that now the amount of fine has gone up to lakhs. Despite this, it was decided to waive the penalty for paying the arrears till March 31 and the lease rent for this financial year together.
…then the administrator will take strict instructions
- According to sources, the administrator was appointed by the state government due to the end of the five-year term of public representatives in the Municipal Corporation. The Municipal Commissioner has been entrusted with the responsibility as an administrator.
- Administrator Radhakrishnan B. He has also been given full rights of the House. It is believed that due to no interference in the functioning of the administration, tough decisions are being taken continuously by the administrator.
- If the benefit of the Abhay scheme is not taken by the lease holders and the lease rent is not paid on time, then action can be started soon as per the rules. The process of confiscation of properties of property tax defaulters has also been started.