The BMC has told them that their request will be processed after past dues are paid.
Mumbai: The dispute between the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and organisers of Mumbai international marathon over payments is likely to continue this year too. While the organisers have sought permission from the civic body to hold the event on January 21 next year, the BMC has told them their request will be processed only after payment of earlier dues.
Event management firm M/s Procam International has requested the BMC to grant permission to hold the event on January 21. Replying to this, the civic body has informed that dues of '2.74 crore are already pending with the organizers and they should pay it within seven days to get the permission.
Just before the marathon, which was held on January 15 in the city, the BMC had asked marathon organisers to pay '5.48 crore, failing to which it had threatened to take action under 328/328A of MMC Act for defacing the city. The fee was levied for display of advertisements by means of hoardings, brandings and lesser show during the marathon. The substantial rise in civic body’s charges was
largely due to the commercial rates it decided to charge from this year, said civic officials.
However, the civic body later relented and allowed organisers to hold the marathon by allowing them to pay charges of '22.90 lakh, which were equivalent to last year fees. But after the event, the civic body has continued with its demand asking them to pay '2.74 crore. However, marathon organisers had refused the pay the charges.
Speaking on this, Arvind Reddy, co-ordinator, M/s Procam International, said, “We have not received any letter from the BMC so far on this matter. We will comment only after getting the letter.”
