PANAJI
The Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) has spent nearly Rs 6 crore on rent and renovating office space at a private building in Patto since September 2024, despite the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) flagging irregularities in the acceptance of the premises.
According to information tabled on the floor of the House, Industries Minister Mauvin Godinho said the Corporation has so far spent Rs 4,95,11,910 towards rent and Rs 1,07,11,940 on renovation works for office space leased at Myles High Hotels and Towers Pvt Ltd in Patto.
The expenditure comes even as the CAG had earlier criticised the Corporation for accepting an “unsolicited” offer for the premises, which it observed was not being utilised to its full capacity.
Meanwhile, Godinho informed the House that the detailed estimate for renovation of the old GIDC building at Patto is still under preparation.
“The detailed estimate is under preparation and will be tendered after approval. Renovation will thereafter be completed in accordance with prescribed procedures,” the minister said.
Earlier reports had revealed that the Corporation received an offer on November 11, 2023, from Myles High Hotels and Towers Pvt Ltd to lease commercial office space on the second floor of its building at Patto, Panaji, for Rs 5.7 lakh per month plus taxes and maintenance charges.
However, the rent has since increased sharply to Rs 14.43 lakh per month with effect from April 1, 2025.
During its Board meeting held on April 16, 2025, the GIDC approved payment of an additional security deposit of Rs 99,59,517 to the company, revising the total deposit to Rs 1,58,79,711.
The move followed the extension of the lease agreement, which has now been increased from three years to nine years.
The Corporation had also carried out interior works at the premises in July and August 2024, spending around Rs 77 lakh, before shifting its offices to the new building in September 2024.
Flagging the matter in its observations, the CAG had stated that “immediate acceptance of an unsolicited offer from Myles High Hotels and Towers Pvt Ltd, despite being over four times the prevailing market rate, was irregular.”
