Vadodara: Old documents of the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) seem to go missing frequently. The civic body is facing this problem regarding several shops it rented out in various parts of the city.The civic body is owed around Rs 12 crore from shops, cabins, handcarts and space for temporary shed it gave on rent. The VMC maintains a register of all properties it rented out.However, it seems the rent registers maintained over the years are the only documentation it has for many such properties. The total number of shops, cabins, handcarts and spaces for temporary sheds given on rent is 2,737.A VMC official said many shops and cabins were given on rent decades ago, and paperwork for many was not available. The civic body is looking to increase its rent collection, as many rental property dues remain outstanding for several years.Sources said that, over the years, many of the shops and cabins were sublet or handed over permanently against one-time payments. VMC decided to allow this by charging a fee of Rs 25,000. Sources said that the recipients of this made hefty sums.The standing committee earlier suggested that rents needed to be revised and if beneficiaries gave the shops to someone else higher rent should be charged, said VMC standing committee chairman Sheetal Mistry. On the unavailability of records, Mistry said, “The records of properties rented out before 1983 are not available. Our attempt is to ensure we get a reasonable amount as rent and increase our income. Such avenues to raise revenue will have to be considered.“
