MAPUSA
Coming under the scrutiny of the High Court, the Mapusa Municipal Council on Tuesday issued showcause notices to 309 original lease holders of shops/stalls in the Mapusa municipal market for violating the agreement with the council and illegally sub-leasing the property to third person.
In its notice the council has asked the original lease holders to showcause why the lease of shops/stalls/kiosks/banca fixas/ cubicles should not be treated as null and void and why the council should not evict the lease holders from their shops/stalls without any further notice.
The lease-holders have been given seven days to reply to the notice and further directed to remain present in the chamber of the Chief Officer with documentary evidence for a personal hearing.
Chief Officer Amitesh Shirvoikar informed that the Mapusa civic body had carried out verification to identify persons presently occupying the shops/stalls belonging to the council.
He said on verification it was found that the shops/stalls leased out to original lease holders were sub-let to others as it was found to be occupied by persons other than the lease holders.
He further said that the Director of Municipal Administration had also directed the council to submit details of present occupier in the municipal immovable properties in the municipal market.
Recently, the High Court of Bombay at Goa had issued notice the Chief Officer directing him to file a reply within two weeks in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) where the petitioner, Jawaharlal Shetye alleged that the civic body refused to take action against sub-letting of municipal properties.
The petitioner also contended that the municipality officials have refused to take action against lessees who continued to remain in possession of the property beyond three years of the lease period without renewing the agreement.
Shetye had also contended that the civic officials refused to take action against the transfer of municipal immovable properties to blood relations in violation of provisions of Goa Municipality Act.
The High Court had also directed the Director of Municipal Administration to enquire into all the allegations made in the petition and file an affidavit within two weeks. The High Court will hear the matter on February 22.
