Team Herald
Pernem: The Pernem Sawalwaddo Indoor Stadium has been given on lease for 18 months to a private firm even as the Municipality is yet issue occupancy certificate to the complex.
When contacted, Pernem Chairperson Madhav Sinai Desai confirmed that the municipality had not yet given an occupancy certificate to the stadium. “The municipality is yet to receive construction fees of 1.75 crore for the last five years from the Sports Department. The Sports Minister Govind Gaude was asked about the same when he visited the stadium last time and he had assured of fulfilling the formalities,” he added.
The locals charged that while the municipality has failed to pay for the last three months and now it was dragging its feet when it came to recover its rightful revenue.
Former chairperson Gajanan Sawal Desai has expressed surprise over the government giving the stadium to a private company even before submitting the fees to the municipality. “The municipality should either try to recover the fees from the government or oppose the ongoing procedure of handing over the building to a private company,” he said.
