Team Herald

PANJIM: The State government has waived-off Rs six crore electricity dues of the city municipal market complex, the amount that went on escalating due to non-payment by the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) since 2003.

Addressing the media persons, City Mayor Uday Madkaikar said that Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant has waived-off Rs six crore power dues, including the interest.

The Electricity Department had in October, last year, disconnected power supply of the market over pending dues. The electricity was restored following intervention by Chief Minister.

The Corporation had urged the government to waive off the payment citing lack of funds.

The CCP has also decided to approach government to waive off pending water bill, which also runs in crores.

“The water connection has already been discontinued. But still, the bill is yet to be cleared,” Mayor said.

Madkaikar said that from next month, Corporation will start the process to sign leave and licence agreement with the legal tenants of the market.

“Also, we have collected applications from the traders for trade licence,” he said adding that apart from “Sopo” there is no other revenue coming in from the market.

Further, Mayor informed that the CCP Market Committee has decided to outsource the cleanliness and maintenance of the market to private player.