Herald : What is the market issue? And why is not getting sorted out?
Furtado : It is pending since 2003. We have not got a single rupee as income to the CCP since 2003. We have around 35 people working around the clock for the maintenance of the market.
Salaries come to lakhs. Electricity and water bills come to around Rs 1.5 crore per annum. In return we are getting nothing. Therefore the standing committee decided to sign new agreements.
It was cleared after changes made and sent to the Director of Municipal Administration and subsequently vetted by the Law Department. The rate was certified by the PWD at Rs 256 per sq mt.
Herald : You are being blamed for not sorting out the issue. What is the problem?
Furtado : We have put large notices in the market. Notices were also put on Devanagari and English papers asking all legal occupants to sign by October 31st. There were a few occupants who wanted to come forward, but they were pressurized not to sign. It was brought to my notice that some have sent payments at Rs 30 per sq mt.
This was a 2003 rate and not acceptable. Initially when it was Rs 30 they did not want to pay. But now that the rate is Rs 256, they want to pay Rs 30.
Herald : How do you react to the PIL filed in the court?
Furtado : It is sub-judice and I cannot react to this.
