MARGAO
In a bid to cap the row over the auctioning of the shops in the Gandhi market, Margao Municipal Chief Officer Agnelo Fernandes on Thursday asserted there’s no question of any fraud when an open auction was conducted by following the due process of law.
A day after the Margao Municipal Council meeting witnessed a row over the auctioning of the two shops at the Gandhi market, wherein certain councillors termed the auction as a fraud causing revenue loss to the Council, the Chief Officer explained that the rent certificate was fixed by the PWD as per the prevailing rates of 2021.
“The MMC had published an open tender in the matter. Objections were heard and the date of auction fixed. An open auction was held and the shops were given to the highest bidders. While one shop was given for a monthly rent of Rs 5,200, the second shop was auctioned for Rs 5,700. The Council has obtained security deposit of Rs 1 lakh from both the parties,” the Chief Officer said.
He further said he is ready to place all facts before the Council meeting if there is any further clarification needed on the matter, saying, “Let the Council take an appropriate decision”.
He added: “We had complied with the laid down procedure. A letter was sent to PWD on 16.7.2021 to issue fresh rent certificate. There was also a letter dated 18.2.2021 to Ex-Engineer PWD requesting to issue fresh rent assessment certificate enclosing copy of Last Rent fixed on 16.9.2007. The Council received a letter from Executive Engineer PWD Fatorda fixing the rent per month as Rs 1890 stating that assessment has been done as per the report of the Assistant Engineer and the request of MMC.”
The Chief Officer further said that the rent assessment has been carried as per the prevailing PWD plinth Area Rates 2019 and including Land rates as per Order no. 17/1 Fixation of Land Rates/2012-RD/6850 dated 5.8.2020 from Revenue Department, asserting that the auction has been conducted by following the due process of law.
