CANACONA
The Canacona Municipal Council (CMC) on Thursday resolved to take strict action against those doing business on land and properties owned by the municipal council but have failed to pay rent to the council.
Addressing the issue at the CMC’s monthly meeting in Canacona, CMC Chairperson Ramakant Naikgaunkar said some businessmen are doing businesses on land and properties owned by the municipality, but said rent for the land or premises utilised had not been paid for many years.
“The amount in unpaid rent runs into several lakhs of rupees,” informed Naikgaunkar.
A resolution was later taken to take strict action against such defaulters by sealing their establishments of they continue to evade paying their dues to the CMC.
Councillor Dhiraj Naik Gaonkar said the CMC is constructing a municipal building at a cost of Rs 11 crore, but the actual plan of that building had not been shown to the councillors.
Gaonkar demanded an investigation and inspection by the CMC, after alleging a delay in construction and substandard work.
Gaonkar also alleged corruption in the construction of the waste treatment plant at Dumane and said work was of inferior quality. He demanded an investigation by the chief officer, municipal engineers and the chairperson.
Stating that the CMC had received the national Indian Swachhta League award at the Swachh Sehar Samvad and Azad@75 Swatch Survekshan Awards in New Delhi, he suggested a special function be organised by inviting Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and honouring the civic workforce.
Some councillors also claimed that fish and fruits are being sold by the side of the Margao-Karwar Highway and said road mishaps could take place on account of of such activity. They demanded action against the roadside sellers.
It was decided to regularise houses illegally built before 2018 by assigning house numbers to them, as it would add revenue of the CMC and house owners would also get relief.
CMC Chief Officer Madhu Narvekar also attended the municipal meeting.
