The recent suggestions by the Goan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) to the Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) will certainly help both bodies manage the land use in the industrial estates better. The current rules state that companies will have 100 percent FAR, coverage laws state that not more than 50 percent of the area can be covered and setbacks have to be maintained. What has happened though, is that most companies have flouted these rules, changing structures and increasing FAR without getting the necessary permissions.
According to sources, more than 90 percent of the companies in Goa, in industrial estates and otherwise too, have constructed more than permitted. However, the problem just doesn’t lie with them. In the past, the rotten reputation of the GIDC forced companies to construct and expand without permission, thus saving themselves money that would otherwise be paid in bribes. An extra 10 or 20 percent in FAR was done under the radar. There are solutions. Plans are afoot to regularise structures with retrospective effect, on the condition that the companies apply for permission. There is a provision for 200 percent FAR for pharma and knowledge companies and 150 percent for all others across Goa. This can easily be handled.
The GIDC has to undertake mandatory inspections and regularise all ‘illegalities’ in the industrial estates. But there also needs to be a clean-up from within the organization so as to avoid a situation like this in the future.
