Pimpri-Chinchwad: Around 1,369 PCMC Properties Occupied Illegally; Reveals RTI Query
Pimpri-Chinchwad, January 6, 2021: An RTI query has revealed that about 1,369 properties in Pimpri-Chinchwad’s civic jurisdiction are being used illegally. It has come to light that the tenants on these properties have not relinquished possession of the property, even though the contract has expired. It is learned that these lands are being used illegally and the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has incurred a loss of Rs 3 crore in two years.
Former MP Gajanan Babar had sought information from the RTI (right to information). The civic body has provided detailed information about the whereabouts of these properties to the RTI applicant in written format. It has stated that the corporation has rented out many of its own properties. It is classified as commercial flats, leased flats, rental flats and vegetable market flats. In addition, 69 buildings have been allotted for government offices, six for PMPML and 10 for Metro.
Out of these, 145 commercial stalls and 1,224 vegetable market stalls, summing to a total of 1,369 properties have been terminated. It has not been renewed. Yet the occupants are utilising the space. As a result, Babar has pointed out that the revenue of the corporation has gone down by Rs 3 crore in two years. He has demanded strict action against the guilty to the PCMC commissioner Shravan Hardikar.
“These properties require a new contract as well as renewal at an expected time. Failing to do so, these spaces are used illegally. No one has paid attention to this serious matter. The income of crores of rupees of the municipality is sinking,” said Gajanan Babar, former MP.
However, Administrative Officer, Land and Life Department Mukesh Kolap, said, “there will be 750 expired properties, not more than that. There is no question of financial loss to the municipality. Work is underway to recover the arrears from the stallholder and the vegetable market holder. Expected action will be taken as per rules.”
