Team Herald
MARGAO: Admitting that many traders are just paying Rs 10 as a rent towards the shops, the Margao Municipal Council (MMC) has now decided to re-verify all the shops owned by them and also to initiate a process of renewal of the leases pending for almost last 30 years.
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MMC Chairperson Damodar Shirodkar told reporters that he has already instructed the concerned officer to initiate a process of re-verifying the shops owned by the civic body in Gandhi Market and New Market respectively.
The chairperson too felt the shock after going through the list and the amount paid by the traders towards the rent.
It is pertinent to note that on March 14, O Heraldo had highlighted the issue, wherein it was revealed that the civic body failed to renew the lease deed of the shops it owns, most of which have expired over three decades, besides many traders are paying a very less amount in the form of rent.
The chairperson informed that many traders in the New Market are paying just Rs 10 and there are many who are paying not more than Rs 100.
“The official record shows that there exist nearly 289 shops and 252 in New Market and Gandhi Market respectively. The amount listed in the list towards the rent from the traders is very shocking and needs to be taken seriously, as the civic body is losing a sizable amount of revenue,” said Shirodkar.
He said that the structure of the rent needs to be revised immediately and hence re-verification of the shops owned by the civic body will be done before initiating the process of hike in rent.
To be noted that several tenant traders have themselves leased out their shops or sold them to second and third parties, and the civic body has not initiated any action against them.
The chairperson informed that he will also discuss the issue with the market committee but the concerned officials will be held responsible to re-verify and keep a vigil on the shops owned by the municipality.
