MAJOR IRREGULARITIES ON COLLECTION OF RENT ON LEASED PROPERTIES  

Qaneez Sukhrani                          

Going by delays in response to my RTI query, it is quite evident that PMC Land & Estate Dept. has tried to hide major irregularities and deficiencies in collection of rent for leased properties. Figures which finally came after 4 months are proof that such abysmally low collection figures are a result of obvious negligence. And this cannot be ignored / excused by the public. Especially because PMC cries itself hoarse when funds have to be allotted for essentials.

It is obvious that PMC has no system of collection in place. Existing method of collection is completely archaic, although PMC has e-governance. In order to collect monies for public properties where PMC is just the caretaker, it requires complete accountability and transparency.

After repeatedly chasing PMC Land & Estate Dept for information even though reply to a RTI application is time bound, instead of giving me a written reply, I was just shown about 30 huge books of about 200 pages each and was told to look for the details myself.

For more information, I was asked to look on PMC’s website as per sec 4 of the RTI Act 2005, but on visiting it, I found that was under construction. Such figures should be readily available, if financials are frozen for any given financial year.

Figures to ponder upon (for which reply to RTI application, order & reply is attached)

Date                               Activity
22.07.2016           – RTI submitted (Annexure C)
19.09.2016           – First Appeal submitted because of 28 days delay after 30 days)
21.10.2016           – Hearing conducted 21.10.2016 after many reminders (which will indicate unconcerned replies) 
02.11.2016           – Order received from Appellate

07.11.2016            – Information was not received in full (Annexure B)
21.11.2016           – Rent figures received as follows *** for leased land & properties (Annexure A)

***Figures in reply dated 21.11.2016 (attached)

1.         Dues upto 31.03.2016 for FY 2015-16*                  – Rs.19,94,79,931.65

2.         Amount for which notices were sent                       – Rs.18,83,08,901.58
          (Query – why were notice / s not sent for balance Rs.1,11,71,030.07 ??)

3.         Amount recovered till Oct for FY 2016-17**           – Rs. 6,99,83,250.00
          (Query 1 –  dues given for FY 2015-16* while recovery is given for 2016-17** ??)
          (Query 2 – then what happens to the balance recovery of about Rs. 13 crores ???)

Demand

PMC and it’s senior officers needs to pull up their socks to be more accountable and responsible where public monies is concerned. For failure & delay to collect against rental dues, concerned officer / s should be issued show cause notice & suspended.