Promises higher rent to municipal council
MAPUSA
In a significant development that could alter the ongoing controversy surrounding three petrol pumps operating illegally on municipal land in Mapusa, a businessman has stepped forward with a proposal to take over the properties – offering to pay nearly six times the current rent.
Tukaram Narayan Patil, a businessman from Mapusa but whose credentials are yet to be established, has submitted a formal proposal to the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC), expressing willingness to lease all three plots currently occupied by petrol pumps that have been functioning without valid lease agreements for nearly a decade.
In his letter addressed to the MMC’s Chief Officer, Patil has offered to pay rent at a rate of Rs 300 per square metre per month – compared to the existing rate of Rs 55 being paid by the current occupants.
He has also agreed to an increment of 10 percent every three years, along with fulfilling any additional conditions set by the council.
The three petrol pumps in question include two Bharat Petroleum outlets operated by S N Burye and a Hindustan Petroleum pump run by V S Ticlo & Sons. These outlets have continued operations on prime municipal land despite their lease agreements expiring in 2017 and 2016 respectively.
Covering areas between 100 and 595 square metres, the pumps were initially leased for a 10-year period with a modest rent of Rs 55 per square metre per month, subject to a 10 percent increment every three years.
Despite the clear lapse in legal tenancy, the MMC has so far failed to initiate recovery of dues or take corrective action – raising serious questions about administrative inertia and potential loss of public revenue.
Patil’s proposal, now being examined by municipal authorities, has brought renewed attention to the issue and placed the council under pressure to act. According to reliable sources within the MMC, the council is now seriously considering the option of auctioning the three plots to ensure transparency and revenue optimisation.
While Chief Officer of the MMC, Chandrakant Shetkar, was unavailable for comment, sources confirmed that internal discussions are underway to explore the feasibility of floating tenders or initiating a public auction for the sites.
