VALPOI
With the Valpoi Municipal Council (VMC) threatening legal action in a bid to recover arrears from shop owners in the municipal complex, several shop owners have rushed to clear their dues.
According to municipal sources, several shops in two buildings owned by the VMC had been let out to shopkeepers, but the rent had not been paid to the council over the last three years.
“A total of Rs 60 lakh was due to the VMC and if this recovery had taken place three years ago, the VMC would have generated sizeable funds. But the council did not take strong measures to recover the arrears,” said the source.
When contacted, VMC Chief Officer Dashrath Gawas said strict action had begun since the last eight days to recover the arrears.
“Notices have been issued and the defaulters have been asked to clear their dues within a stipulated period, failing which legal action would be taken against them,” said Gawas.
He informed that some recoveries have begun and some shopkeepers have sought a few days to pay their dues.
