Reliance Industries Ltd. (RIL), which recently launched its telecom service Jio, owes Rs. 1,576.90 crore in additional premium charges to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) as a lease-holder of two plots in the Bandra Kurla Complex, an RTI query by activist Anil Galgali has revealed.
Mr. Galgali has written to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis demanding recovery of the amount within 30 days with interest. “If the amount is not recoverable then, the government should take possession of the plot and once again re-allot it to the highest bidder, which will bring revenue to the MMRDA and help in initiating public development activities,” he said in the letter.
After Mr. Galgali sought information about the outstanding amounts to the MMRDA from all categories of lease-holders, the MMRDA administration on Friday provided the lists containing information about private lessees, government lessees, and public sector organisations.
Additional premium
The information obtained showed that RIL was charged additional premium for three plots — G/C-64, G/C 66, and G/RG-1A — acquired from the MMRDA and the amount had accumulated over the years.
The information obtained showed that RIL was charged additional premium for three plots — G/C-64, G/C 66, and G/RG-1A — acquired from the MMRDA and the amount had accumulated over the years.
While the company has fully paid Rs. 4,94,621 for G/RG-IA plot, it has not paid dues of Rs. 1187.59 crore for G/C-64 and Rs. 389.31 crore for G/C-66.
Mr. Galgali said that according to government norms, if a lease-holder does not start construction work on the leased plot for four years after acquiring, he has to pay a premium charge to the MMRDA for holding prime real estate.
“Lessees were given extended time to start construction of their projects. These extensions resulted in accrual of Rs. 2,055.67 crore as premium for the MMRDA. Out of the total outstanding, MMRDA has received 426.98 crore and still has pending dues of Rs.1,628.69 crore. Out of the pending outstandings, Reliance alone owes Rs.1,576.90 crore to MMRDA,” Mr. Galgali told.
When contacted for a response, a RIL spokesperson said, “MMRDA had recognised the force majeure with regards to Plot Number C/64, as there was a court stay on construction between October 2007 and March 2012. MMRDA in the last authority meeting decided to appoint a committee and we are awaiting further communication from it on the same.”
As per the documents shared by RIL, the issue of the premium was discussed at the MMRDA’s meeting held on August 26, 2015 chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. In the meeting, the MMRDA Commissioner pointed out that if the court stay period of four years and five months is deducted from the then premium dues of Rs. 883 crore, RIL will have to pay only Rs. 53 crore. Mr. Fadnavis had given instructions that legal opinion be taken.
“Reliance had earlier cited the legal dispute between the Ambani brothers for the delay in starting construction. The additional premium due was less than Rs. 400 crore when I last checked. But, now it has swelled to Rs.1,576 crore, and the government needs to do something in public interest,” Mr. Galgali said.
Source: The Hindu
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