In a concerning development, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) finds itself at odds with utility firms, as it grapples to recuperate a substantial sum totalling Rs 7 crore owed in road opening permissions.
Despite recently issuing property tax notices to property owners for dues amounting to Rs 6 crore, the AMC appears to have diverted attention from the significant outstanding dues owed by utility entities. The modus operandi involves the AMC levying a one-time charge for road opening permissions on utility firms seeking to install underground infrastructure. Subsequently, an annual rental fee is imposed based on the length of the infrastructure laid. However, sources reveal that the corporation has faltered in collecting the dues from these firms, failing to initiate any punitive measures against the defaulters. Compounding the issue is the apparent lack of adherence to a state government policy aimed at regulating charges for road opening permissions imposed on utility firms. Despite the policy’s implementation, the AMC has displayed inertia in executing its mandates, as sources highlight the absence of proactive measures from the civic body.
Further exacerbating the situation is a communication chasm between the engineering and estate departments within the corporation. While the engineering department oversees the issuance of permits, responsibility for the collection of annual rents falls under the purview of the estate department. This disjointed communication has led to a lack of clarity regarding the precise outstanding amounts owed by utility firms. The burgeoning impasse underscores the imperative for the AMC to streamline its administrative processes and enforce policies effectively to ensure the timely recovery of dues owed by utility firms. Failure to address this issue promptly could not only impede revenue generation but also compromise the integrity of municipal governance. In summary, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation faces a daunting task in reclaiming Rs 7 crore in outstanding dues from utility firms, highlighting the urgent need for cohesive administrative action and policy implementation to mitigate financial discrepancies within the municipal framework.
