4,179 leased plots causing huge loss

As per the civic data, there 4,179 are plots which have been leased to various lessees in the city. These plots have been given for recreational grounds, gymkhanas and to institutes such as social organisations, educational institutes, banks, police quarters, insurance companies, oil companies and other big industrial houses. In some of the cases, lease agreements as old as from 1970 have not been renewed.

“These plots are one of the major sources of income for the BMC, but as their agreements have not been renewed for years, the civic body is facing loss of crores of rupees. Along with issuing renewal notices, I have also asked civic authorities to find out additional constructions on these plots. They can be regularised by charging fine so that civic revenues can be increased,” said Prakash Gangadhare, civic improvements committee chairman.

Civic officials said, as far as ‘schedule W’ properties are concerned, the state government has asked the BMC to collect undertaking from the related lessee saying that they will pay the probable lease difference amount along with interest till the proposed estate policy is finalised. However, out of 96 property occupants, 71 have still not submitted the undertaking.

In case of municipal properties, several breaches have been observed on most of the plots, due to which they cannot be renewed. We are preparing an action plan to deal with such cases, officials said.

Vishwas Shankarwar, assistant commissioner (estate), said, “We are sending notices to all 234 properties asking them to renew their lease. If it is not done, the process of re-entry will be initiated, under which the BMC will take possession of the plot.”

Of the 4,179 plots, 2,352 are residential, 82 educational, 32 charitable, 1,360 shops/offices/godown, 276 industrial/BEST substation, 15 open ground/playgroun/swimming pool/boat club and 58 are miscellaneous.