PANJIM: The Corporation of the City of Panjim (CCP) is likely to issue notices to more shops for failing to renew the lease and licence agreements even as the first round of hearing in the case of seven shops to whom notices were served earlier have been held.
Sources in the CCP told O Heraldo that the first round of the hearing have been held and all those shop owners to whom notices were issued appeared for the hearing.
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However, the sources said that more hearings will be held to resolve the issue.
They also confirmed that notices will be served to more shop owners who have their shops in the CCP building complex.
Earlier, the CCP had issued notices to seven shopkeepers for failing to renew lease agreements.
In the notices issued, CCP Estate Officer Victoria Maria Gonsalves had asked one shopkeeper to appear before her in person or through a duly authorised representative capable to answer all material questions connected with the matter along with the evidence in support of the cause on December 22, 2023, for personal hearing.
Similarly, another shopkeeper was asked to appear on December 15, 2023.
The CCP has claimed that the shops have not renewed the lease agreements of shops in spite of sending notices of renewal.
The CCP has written to the shop keepers that they were in unauthorised occupation of the shops and their lease agreements have expired.
“There is no valid leave and licence or lease agreement with the Corporation of the City of Panaji for occupation of the said public premises and as such you are in occupation of the said public premises without any valid and or subsisting leave and license or lease agreement,” CCP Commissioner Clen Madeira had said.
According to the CCP, an amount of at least Rs 1.6 crore is recoverable from the shopkeepers on account of rents allegedly not paid for years.
