Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP/JD)

Mangaluru, Feb 16: Every government concern keeps track on rentals which fall due for payment to it at the end of each month. If someone hires a government building or space, government agencies make sure that rent is paid without any delay every month. In case of non-payment, officials visit the spot, and sometimes drive away the tenants if they are unwilling to clear the dues.

But strangely, it has been revealed that Horticultural Producers Cooperative Marketing and Processing Society (HOPCOMS), which was given spaces in the city by the government to enable it to market its produce without the intervention of middlemen, has not paid rent for the last 28 years.

HOPCOMS runs eight stalls within the city. All these stalls have failed to pay any rent to the city corporation since the last 28 years. This fact came into the open on the basis of documents obtained by an RTI activist, Hanumanth Kamath. All these stalls, which started operations here in 1988, stand in government land and are expected to pay rent to the city corporation. The rent due from them including overdue interest for delayed payments work out to a few crore rupees. It is said that HOPCOMS which has control over these stalls, too has remained silent in the matter.

Hanumanth Kamath has demanded serving of notices to the concerned. He also feels that city corporation officials are hand in glove in this scandal, and that they have got gratification by way of free supply of vegetables and fruits to their homes in place of rent payment. Even though the Hopscom's shops were permitted to operate on temporary basis and MCC does not have any documents regarding this. Initially the shops were given the permission according to DC's order. I feel even the corporators are also involved in this.

When contacted, deputy director of horticulture department Yogish H R washed his hands of the matter, stating that 'Belegarara Sangha' handles the HOPCOMS and that the horticulture department was not responsible for its operations.

Commissioner of MCC Dr H N Gopalkrishna was unavailable for comment.

Mayor of MCC Jacintha Alfred said, "We are aware of this and it has already been discussed in the meeting of the standing committee for taxation. According to the rules and regulations, we will soon serve notice to the HOPCOMS and will internally investigate as to who are the officials responsible for this and take appropriate action against them."