Mukesh Ambani-headed Reliance industries ltd (RIl) figures in the defaulters’ list of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) for its failure to clear premium charges to the tune Rs1576. 90 crore despite extension in payment deadlines, for three plots of land leased out to it by the State-run undertaking at the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) in north-central Mumbai.
As per the list of defaulters among different categories of its lease holders made available to RTI activist Anil Galgali, various private organization lessees owe premium charges to the tune of Rs1,628.59 crore for the plots of land allotted to them at the BKC. Of them, RIl owes a maximum of Rs1,576. 90 crore as premium charges for two plots of land allotted to it by the MMRDA.
Of the total amount of Rs2,055. 56 crore payable to MMRDA for 15 plots of land leased out to various private organisations, a majority of private organisations have paid the premium charges — amounting to the tune of Rs426 crore to the State-run undertaking. Among the defaulters are RIl and Indian Newspaper Society (INS). The INS owes Rs23.68 crore to the MMRDA.
Of the three plots leased out to it, the RIl has cleared a small amount of Rs4.94 lakh against lease of plot no G/RG-1A allotted to it. Despite the MMRDA having extended the deadline for clearing the dues from September 1, 2010 to August 31, 2016, RIl owes as much as Rs1,187.59 crore for plot number G/C- 64, while the Mukesh Ambani owes as much as Rs389.31 crore with respect to plot number G/C-66 for which the deadline for clearance of dues had been extended from July 15, 2012 to August 20, 2015.
In the case of plot nos G/RG-1A and number G/C-66, the RIl has completed construction, while it is still to complete its construction in the case of plot number G/C- 64.
Having clinched the land deal with the MMRDA in February 2006, the RIl had begun the work on set up the Dhirubhai Ambani International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DAICEC) at BKC in mid 2006. The leading corporate house wanted to launch DACEC by 2009.
Billed as the single largest convention being set up in the country, the DAICEC involves construction of four buildings including a Convention Center, an Exhibition hall, and a Theatre in a 75,000-square-meter plot in the center of Mumbai. The Convention and Exhibition Centre will include retail space, service apartments and hospitality facilities.
Among other private lessees, Naman Hotels has paid Rs8.76 crore as against Rs32.52 crore payable to MMRDA. “The MMRDA has withheld the part OC for the non payment. The INS has an Outstanding of Rs28.12 crore, after it paid Rs2. 65 crore," Galgali said.
From the Government sector, Rs27.63 crore is due from the Commissioner of Income Tax for two different plots. It has completed the construction on plot G/C -41 to 43 and owes Rs5 lakhs 56 thousand 59 against it. Whereas it has still to complete the construction on plot G/R 41 to 43. An amount of Rs7 crores 21 lakhs 10 thousand 647 is pending from the Maharashtra Maritime Board.
The other Government and private organisations like CBI, ICAI, Regional Passport Office, Accountant General, Commissioner of labour, Bank of India, PNB, Canara Bank, Oriental Bank of Commerce, Bank of Baroda, ONGC, Indian Oil Corporation ltd, IDBI, Tata Communication, Parini Developers Pvt ltd, TCG Infrastructure Holdings Pvt ltd, EIH ltd, Jet Airways ltd, Raghuleela, Starlite systems llP, Naman BKC Housing Society etc have paid their premium charges for the plots of land allotted to them.
In a letter sent written to Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis who also heads the MMRDA and MMRDA Commissioner UPS Madan, Galgali has demanded that immediate recovery be initiated and the amount should be recovered within 30 days with interest. “If the amount is not recoverable then, the MMRDA should immediately take back the possession of the plots of the defaulting lessees and once again re-allot it to the highest bidder, which will bring revenue to the state undertaking and will help in initiating public development activities,” the RTI activist said.