the goan I network
VASCO
The Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) raised strong concerns over Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd’s (HPCL) ownership claims over 9,000 sq mtrs of prime land leased by the MMC since 1954.
The issue of arrears and land ownership came up at the special council meeting on Monday morning and some unhappy councillors demanded that MMC should seal the HPCL unit.
According to sources in MMC, prime land was leased to HPCL for 25 years in 1954 and the agreement was not renewed further. Sources also informed that despite several reminders, HPCL had not paid outstanding dues of around Rs 19 crore to the council.
When the issue came up at the council meet, councillors demanded that MMC should seal the HPCL premises or evict them from the premises.
Councillor Saifullah Khan said when he as MMC chairperson had planned to seal the HPCL for non-payment of dues, they had made some payments and MMC should do the same again.
“MMC leased out this prime land to this company for no benefit. Despite earning crores of rupees, the company has to pay huge outstanding arrears. Secondly, it is jeopardizing the safety of Vascokars.”
“We face shortage of funds and they are now in the process of shifting to Zuarinagar. They will then say we
don’t want your premises and we will lose revenue that we deserve from these companies. We demand the immediate sealing of the premises,” said Khan
