DIMAPUR, AUGUST 6 (MExN): The Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) today discussed the status of the Nagaland House Commercial Complex in Kolkata, with the opposition expressing concern over the losses incurred by the state by leasing it to a private company.
Deputy Chief Minister, Y. Patton, replying to a starred question, said in 1997 a lease agreement was executed between the Government Nagaland and the Civil Engineers Enterprise Private Limited (CEEPL) in respect of Nagaland House Commercial Complex, Kolkata (Nightingale Building). The said lease was for 20 years with clauses for renewal for another 2 terms.
The lease expired in 2017 and the government made a claim to enhance rent at Rs. 2.2 crore instead of Rs. 5 lacs which the tenant was paying every month. This order was challenged by the lessee who offered to pay a paltry amount of Rs. 7 lacs rent per month for an area of 13736 sq. metres with buildings in the heart of Kolkata.
The order of the Government for claiming enhanced rent was challenged by the lessee in the Calcutta High Court. The court on May 14, 2018 directed the government to receive Rs. 7 lacs/ per month as rent without prejudice to its rights and contentions till the disposal of the interim application. The said application came up for final hearing on a few occasions and on July 15, 2018 was argued at length.
The Advocate General pointed out to the court that the State has right to pursue other legal remedies like filing a suit for possession etc. It was added that the state would avail of all the remedies apart from seeking the relief of enhancement of rent/compensation. The case was part heard and will again come up for hearing on September 6, 2019.
Patton also stated that the State Government has filed Counter affidavit against Civil Engineers Enterprise Private Limited (M/s Ghosal & Co.) on July 16, 2018 and the lessee has filed its rejoinder.
He further assured Government is taking all steps to fight the case for its rights and a Joint Parliamentary Committee has been constituted. The Committee members also attended the Calcutta High Court hearing of the case and observed that the Advocate General made strong defense in favour of Government.
The Advocate General strongly contended the right of the Government for enhancement of rent as well as the Government's rights to take possession of the state property.
After the hearing, the Joint Parliamentary Committee had further discussions with the Advocate General and his team of Advocates to persistently fight for the case with the active co-operation of every one.
