Govt begins recovery of estimated Rs 7 crore loss
PANAJI
The State government on Wednesday informed the High Court of Bombay at Goa that notices have been issued to around 120 beneficiaries of land conversions to recover pending dues. The action comes amid a writ petition accusing flaws in land conversion fees under the Town & Country Planning Act.
With the court deciding to closely monitor the process, the government has been asked to recover over Rs 7 crore. The government indicated the lapses by the Town & Country Planning (TCP) department as it charged the old fee of Rs 200 per sq mtr instead of the revised Rs 1,000, leading to a major loss to the State exchequer.
The petitioner has alleged that the Chief Town Planner has deliberately undervalued the assessment order for fees.
“The incumbent Chief Town Planner has caused a loss to the public exchequer to the tune of Rs 7.16 crores by deliberately undervaluing the assessment order for calculation of fees for correction of zone under 17 (2) of TCP Act for 89,500m2 area from property/ land bearing survey number 17/1 of Chopdem and applying the old rate of Rs 200 per sq mtrs… when in fact the rates were already revised by the government three months earlier from Rs 200 to Rs 1000 dated March 28, 2024,” reads the particulars of the writ petition filed by Swapnesh Sherlekar and others.
During the hearing, Advocate General Devidas Pangam informed the Bench that the Finance Department, upon realizing the undervaluation, ordered a Vigilance inquiry, which is underway. The Finance Department has also written to the TCP to recover the balance amount from applicants, who were charged lesser fees for land conversion despite the amendment and the new notification. The Vigilance Department is expected to submit its report to the High Court within four weeks.
“The recovery process has begun, and notices have been sent to all concerned persons whose conversions were done at the old rates,” the AG stated.
The court thereafter sought clarity on the total number of conversions at old rates, the exact loss incurred and the course of action if construction has already commenced at these sites. It has directed the government to submit a reply affidavit detailing these aspects and specifying the interest payable due to the delayed recovery.
The matter has been adjourned to next week, which is when the government is expected to submit its statement on the deficit payment and related issues.
The petitioners have further sought disciplinary action against the Chief Town Planner and a detailed inquiry into the financial loss caused besides other directions to ensure no further losses to the State.
