Tamil Nadu - Chennai   

Councillors want Corporation to be strict on leasing of lands

Staff Reporter

School allegedly constructed building on leased land

IN DISCUSSION: Mayor M. Subramaniam addressing the Corporation council meeting in Chennai on Monday. — Photo: S. S. Kumar

CHENNAI : The Corporation should keep watch on the lands it has leased out to private parties to ensure against misuse, opposition councillors said at the council meeting on Monday.

In the debate on the extension of lease of 14 grounds of land in Kodambakkam to Viswa Hindu Kendra for a 33-year period, councillors from the Congress and the Pattali Makkal Katchi charged the organisation with violating the lease deed by constructing a building in a portion of the leased land and renting it out. They argued that the Corporation could find better use for the land than allowing someone to make a profit out of it.

The councillors said the land had been leased out at a nominal monthly rental of Rs.1,000 under the impression that it was only for a school. A resolution tabled at the meeting had suggested that the lease be extended for a period of 33 years after increasing the monthly rental to Rs.2,000. It noted that the school constructed on the premises in 1976 was catering to the needs of middle and low-income families in West Mambalam, Ashok Nagar and T. Nagar localities. Congress floor leader Saidai P. Ravi said officials must prevent the organisation from renting out the building. But the deed could be extended, considering that it housed the school. The council passed the resolution after the discussions.

Mayor M. Subramanian said the final decision on extending the lease would still rest with the State Government. In an interaction with media after the meeting, Mr. Subramanian said that the officials of the Lands and Estates department were drawing up a list of all Corporation lands leased out to private parties. It would be cross-checked for irregularities. The list would be tabled within two months in the council, he added.

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