The MMC has failed to pay water and electricity bills amounting to Rs 1 crore to the government. What is worse is that the PWD’s water division officials from Vasco have initiated action against the MMC by not only disconnecting the water connection to some of its properties, but also filing a revenue recovery case before the Mormugao mamlatdar.
The mamlatdar has issued a recovery notice to the MMC under Rules 5 and 17 of the Goa, Daman and Diu Realisation of Land Revenue Rules, 1968, seeking recovery of the dues.
As per information obtained from the MMC, the outstanding water bills with interest are Rs 73.33 lakh, while the electricity bills are around Rs 30 lakhs. These bills, which are unpaid for several years, have been generated from the municipal properties, including the municipal quarters, Sulabh Sauchalaya and public taps.
Taking note of the issue, MMC Chairperson Deepak Naik held an hour-long meeting with MMC Chief Officer Deepali Naik on Friday to find a solution.
“It is true that the PWD has disconnected water to some municipal buildings due to pending bills. We would have not faced such a scenario if all our outstanding dues were recovered. We have started our recovery process, but henceforth, we will intensify the same by taking serious action against defaulters, and if required, sealing the premises occupied by them. Also we will take up the issue in the forthcoming council meeting to adopt a resolution requesting the government to find a way to waive the interest of the total arrears of water and electricity bills,” said Naik.
CO Deepali stated, “We are ready to pay the principal amount of both the bills as early as possible to settle the issue once for all. We only want that both these department should give us some rebate, for which we are trying to approach the government.”
Meanwhile, the MMC opposition councillors have slammed the ruling panel on the issue of arrears, due to which the MMC has been facing an embarrassing situation.
“It is shame for all of us that we are now in the list of defaulters. I will take up this issue in the forthcoming municipal meeting and seek explanations from the ruling panel as to what they did in the last two months to resolve this long-pending issue of water and electricity bills,” said Councillor Murari Bandekar.
