MMRDA has failed to recover outstanding dues amounting to Rs 3,000 crores from various institutions. The list of defaulters include industrialist Mukesh Ambani, Income Tax department, Jamunabai Foundation, Indian Newspaper Society, Oriental Bank of Commerce, Naman Hotels, Talim Research Foundation etc, has been revealed in response to the RTI query filed by RTI activist Anil Galgali with MMRDA.
On September 12, 2017 MMRDA had issued notices to seven largest defaulters and ordered them to immediately pay the outstanding amount. The defaulters issued notices include Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries Ltd, Jamnalal Hirachand Ambani Foundation belonging to the Ambani’s, Income Tax dept, Indian Newspaper Society, Naman Hotels, Talim Research Foundation. Mukesh Ambani has taken three plots on lease at the BKC and sought additional FSI on two plots amounting to Rs 1137.75 crores, which is yet to be repaid.
Since the project was not completed within four years hence organisations are liable to pay an additional surcharge of Rs 1600 crores for two plots, which has not be repaid. The Ambani controlled Jamnalal Hirachand Ambani Foundation has not paid Rs 31 crore, Indian Newspaper Society is liable to pay Rs 54.74 crore and Rs 50.52 crore for availing additional FSI, which has not been paid as of now. M/s Naman Hotels owes Rs 32 crore, Talim Research Foundation Rs 33 crore, Income tax dept Rs 1 crore, and Oriental Bank of Commerce Rs 25 crore.
The government institutions like, CBI, Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, Accountant General of India, and Labour Commissioner had immediately paid outstanding dues. PSU’s like Bank of India, IDBI, Punjab National Bank, Canara Bank, Bank of Baroda, Indian Oil Corporation and ONGC also remitted the dues on time.
According to Galgali, “The officers of the MMRDA administration have surrendered before the high and mighty defaulters thereby failing to recover its dues. The organisation should halt work at the defaulters’ projects and for those to whom it has issued its occupation certificate. On the contrary, the MMRDA administration officers are seeking advice of legal experts to ensure cooperation with the defaulters.”
In a letter addressed to CM Devendra Fadnavis, Galgali has demanded that, the MMRDA should immediately seize defaulters’ properties and fix the responsibility of those officials who are in connivance with the defaulters and take strict action against them.
