The Hindu 23.09.2014
Corporation to recover 541 plots of leased land
Chennai Corporation is all set to retrieve land leased
out for the purpose of ‘education, commerce, residence and charity’ in
various parts of the city.
Over 825 grounds of Corporation land is under illegal possession after expiry of lease period for 541 pieces of property.
Notices
The
civic body will issue notice to all individuals and private
associations that occupy and use such land in the old city limits.
The
land is usually leased for a maximum period of three years at cheap
rates and after the lease period is over, the Corporation takes a call
on renewing the lease. However, many lessees have not paid even the low
rates demanded of them.
Some of the immovable
properties of the Corporation have also been leased out following the
request of other government departments, undertakings, corporations and
boards.
A number of private associations and
individuals started using Corporation land on lease basis as per
provisions of section 75 of CCMC Act 1919, prior to 1976. The lease
period of all the cases has expired.
The civic body initiated action a few years ago but even the relevant files could not be located.
Some of the individuals or private associations have filed cases in various courts.
Missing records
Initiatives
have also been taken to defend the cases. According to Corporation
sources, Rs. 98 crore worth of arrears of lease rent is pending. After
expiry, the lands continue to be in possession of the original lessee or
legal heirs or other persons.
Records pertaining to such lands have also gone missing.
The civic body is set to complete a study of such lands shortly.
The initiative to retrieve the lands will be taken based on the study.
The plots, whose lease has expired, were allotted for education, commerce, residence and charity
Nearly Rs. 98 crore worth of arrears of lease rent is pending