Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR, Feb 26: The cancer patients of the state currently residing at Arunachal Guest House, Mumbai, may be forced to vacate it due to non-payment of property tax by the Arunachal Pradesh Government.
The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has served notice to the state government to clear an outstanding property tax amounting to Rs 5,30,331 within a week.
In the notice issued to the Director of Industries, GoAP on 24 February, a copy of which this daily was able to obtain, the NMMC stated that the second floor of the guest house, where the cancer patients are residing, may either be sold through public auction or file a suit against the defaulter, if the outstanding amount is not cleared within the given time period.
Further, the NMMC authority has reportedly told the occupants about the likely situation they may face, in case the dues were not cleared on time, which has created panic amongst the patients.
Currently, there are around 100 cancer patients undergoing treatment in Mumbai, of which 18 have been given accommodation at the Arunachal Bhawan based on their financial status, informed Helping Hands volunteer Ritum Sora to this daily over telephone from Mumbai.
“No government official has been posted at the Arunachal Bhawan to take care of the asset,” he said.
He expressed fear that the patients may be left stranded if the government does not clear the outstanding amount immediately.
The former ASUM general secretary rued that they have been running from pillar to post for the cancer patients from the state. But nothing has been done to resolve the issues of the Bhawan other than false assurances by the government.
The Arunachal Guest House in Mumbai has been in the media limelight for one or other reason.
In November, 2017, a fire broke out in the Bhawan. However, the cancer patients residing in the Bhawan in the lower floor were safely evacuated as the fire had broken out in the upper floors.
