the goan I network
MARGAO
The chairperson decided to talk tough to the representatives of oil companies over the question of payment of rent arrears, amounting to a whopping Rs 60 lakh. She told the officials that the civic body will be forced with no option but to rescind the agreement and take possession of the prime land in the heart of the city near the
Municipal garden.
During the meeting, the chairperson reminded the oil companies that they just cannot dilly-dally on the payment of arrears under one pretext or the other, asserting that the Municipality will have to take drastic action to recover
the arrears.
Babita later told the media that she has told the Municipal Administrative and Accounts officer to send a strong letter to the oil companies, conveying the decision of
the civic body to take over possession of the land in question if they fail to clear the outstanding rent.
As many as four petrol pumps are located on the Municipal land in the heart of the city adjoining the municipal garden. They have been operating the pumps from the Municipal land leased out to the companies over the decades.
What’s significant to note is that while the oil companies have been willing to clear the arrears as per the old rates, the Municipality has been insisting on the payment of rent based on the revised rates.
“We have time and again impressed upon the oil companies to pay the rent as per the revised rates, but in vain. This cannot be allowed to go on. Hence, we have told the companies that they either pay the civic body as per the revised rates or the Municipality will take back possession of the land,” Babita stated.
