Patna: The Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) has issued notices to 278 shops and offices located in Patna’s famous Maurya Lok Complex after finding large amounts of unpaid maintenance charges and ground rent. The decision was taken after a review meeting held on Sunday, where officials examined records of long-pending payments. According to the corporation, these unpaid dues have been affecting its revenue and the proper maintenance of the complex.
Officials said that the total outstanding amount from the shops and offices is Rs 3 crore 66 lakh 15 thousand 4. The notices clearly mention that all defaulters must pay the pending amount within seven days from the date of receiving the notice. The PMC has made payment options easier by allowing dues to be paid online through its official website or directly at the municipal office.
The corporation has also issued a strong warning along with the notices. If the dues are not cleared within the given time limit, electricity and water supply connections may be disconnected at any time without prior information. Apart from this, legal and administrative action can also be taken against those who fail to follow the terms of their agreement with the civic body. The PMC has appealed to all shopkeepers and office owners to avoid unnecessary trouble by paying their dues on time.
Interestingly, the list of defaulters does not include only private shops and offices. Several government and semi-government institutions functioning from the Maurya Lok Complex also have pending payments. These include the Bihar State Service Association, Bihar Council of Science and Technology, NABARD, HUDCO and the Passport Office. Banking institutions in the complex also owe the municipal corporation large sums of money.
In a surprising disclosure, the PMC’s own Birth and Death Registration Branch, which operates from the complex, has also failed to pay maintenance charges and ground rent. Records show that this branch alone owes around Rs 4.46 lakh. Overall, officials said that out of the total defaulters, 270 are shops and 39 are offices. The municipal corporation said this strict step has been taken to protect public revenue and ensure that civic services continue to function smoothly in one of Patna’s busiest commercial centres
