The decision to review IPB project approved during the Laxmikant Parsekar regime comes as a big victory to allies who were screaming against the IPB clearances. Government has now decided to review around 12 projects out of the 151 projects approved by IPB citing queries raised against these projects. The move will deal a severe blow to projects under review as ground work on some have already begun and any adverse decision would mean a huge loss to the promoters. It will not only hit the projects in question but also create a wave of uncertainty in the minds of entrepreneurs wanting to set shop in the State.
What is questionable is the government's decision to send approved projects to satellite consultants for review. Why did the government not appoint a consultant to study projects before they were given clearances? Parrikar's claim is that it doesn't mean rejection, but a reality check on parameters set for investment like ‘non-polluting' and ‘employment-oriented'. Why were checks and balances not put in place before giving approval?
This is a clear sign that the government is playing to the tunes of coalition partners. It is common knowledge that Vijai Sardesai and Rohan Kaunte were very vocal earlier about single-window clearances being given to projects and had slammed the IPB for killing Goenkarponn. Goa Forward had also promised to repeal the Investment Promotion Act 2014, based on which IPB functions. But with a change in guard where opponents became part of the current ruling dispensation, all their contempt for the IPB watered-down and both Ministers began batting for IPB with a rider of employment and pollution check. The decision to review projects comes as a big victory for Vijai as Vani Agro, one of the projects which the TCP Minister had red-carded, is included in the list.
The Goa Investment Promotion Board which was Parrikar's brainchild was meant to be a single-window clearance mechanism for investment projects of over Rs 5 crore. Till now, the board has reported an investment of over Rs 11,400 crore with job potential for around 26,000 Goans. In a bid to appease coalition partners once again, the Chief Minister informed the House that IPB is not to be the final authority to grant approvals to investment proposals, while clearly indicating that separate approvals would be required from respective departments independently. According to Parrikar, IPB approvals are provisional and granted from the investment and employment angle only. With a strange twist to the IPB story, Parrikar must answer what happens to the government's fast track promise.
