PANJIM: Corporation of City of Panaji (CCP) Mayor Rohit Monserrate on Thursday said that the Corporation has decided to give 400 sq mts area to M/s Rao & Company after demolishing the National Theatre building.
Speaking to media persons on the sidelines of an event at Raj Bhavan, Monserrate said, “We are not giving plot of land free to M/s Rao & Company. We are basically charging him at PWD rates applicable.”
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
Reacting to former CCP Mayor and Councillor Surendra Furtado strongly opposing the decision to give 400 sq mts to the National Theatre proprietor, Monserrate said, “We had asked Furtado’s opinion before settlement and he had said that giving 400 sq mts is fine offer and now all of a sudden because of public pressure he is making it a big issue.”
Monserrate said that the National Theatre issue was pending for last 17 years and many Mayors have come and gone, but the issue was not resolved. Many are complaining of approaching the court but we are looking for practical approach, he added.
“We are resolving the National Theatre issue so that we get revenue to pay salary to our staff. We want CCP to be self-sustaining. The proposal approved during the special meeting will be sent to the government and the Law Department for vetting,” he said adding that if the proposal is not vetted that the CCP will follow alternate course.
He further said that the Corporation is trying to resolve National Theatre, CCP building and market traders issues so that it gets revenue to pay salary to staff and money for development of the city. “We want to stop begging with the government for funds and also reduce taxes,” he said.
To a question, he said that the Corporation had so far recovered Rs 12 crore out of Rs 25 crore pending house tax. Stating that some people are not paying house tax, he said that the Corporation will now form a separate cell to recover the pending dues.
