VASCO: In order to ascertain the factual position of the structures erected inside the property leased out to Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and to put pressure on the oil companies to release outstanding dues, the officials of Mormugao Municipal Council on Friday kick started physical reassessment of structures erected by oil companies inside the Municipal property leased out to them.
According to information, two technical teams constituted by Municipality kick-started reassessment procedure by comparing the old drawings submitted by the oil companies and present project layout to verify any unauthorized construction work undertaken by HPCL and IOCL in Municipal property leased out to these oil companies by MMC.
“We are facing severe financial crunch and these oil companies which are operating on the property are not ready to pay outstanding dues which are around Rs 24.97 crores. Also as per the lease agreement, we had given land to these two oil companies on the pretext that they shall not make any additional building, structures etc, or erect any new building or structure or install any new tank on the said land except with the prior permission in writing from MMC. However, it has been brought to our notice that these oil companies have encroached on our property and have also carried out construction/ installation without obtaining specific permission from the council as required under section 184 of Goa Municipalities act 1968 for the construction of oil tanks or building,” Chief Officer Deepali Naik said.
She further said that “To reassess the same, our teams have started inspection today and side by side we have also started having meetings with officials representing these oil companies so that they should amicably settle the issue. Also if we find that these oil companies have built new tanks or structures then we will levy heavy penalty on them” Naik said.
Meanwhile, MMC Chairperson Deepak Naik, informed that “HPCL and IOCL have been operating and making huge profits by using our property, whereas MMC has been facing problems in paying electricity or water bills as these companies have not paid their dues. We have thus taken strong stand to anyhow recover all our pending dues from these oil companies and if required MMC would seal their premises. Also after MMC made recovery letters, HPCL has agreed to pay 25 percent within five days; however IOCL has sought more time to revert back” Naik said.
