PANAJI
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has pulled up the Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) for their inaction against 56 plot allottees in Cuncolim, Madkai and Sancoale Industrial Estate for allegedly constructing residential structures for industrial workers. The GIDC had in March, 2023 issued show cause notices to the plot owners, but failed to act thereafter.
Interestingly, the CAG, in their communication to GIDC, has pointed out that the entire illegality has no mention anywhere in the files or noting or any decision in this regard. CAG has sought justification from the Corporation for non-maintenance of files detailing, the matter, follow up on show cause notices and action thereafter.
“The inaction on show cause notices issued for unauthorized activity by residing of labourers in the factory premises constituted an undue favour to defaulters,” the CAG said.
Of the total 56 plots, 23 were in Cuncolim industrial estate, 31 in Sancoale and two in Madkai industrial estate. CAG noted that The Goa (Regulation of Land Development and Building Construction) Act 2008 and The Goa Land and Building Construction Regulation 2010 does not permit residential arrangement for labour except in accordance with the provisions prescribed for large plots that is above 10,000 sq mts where 2.5 per cent of the built up area is permitted for residential use.
During an inspection in August 2022, GIDC noticed the unauthorized activity of residing of labourers in factory premises and offered reasonable opportunity to the labourers to comply.
Upon noncompliance, a site inspection was carried out by the Managing Director, Labour Commissioner and Police Inspector and issued show cause notices to 56 plot allottees in March 2023.
“In this regard, it was observed that the matter was not at all followed up by GIDC and the show cause notices were also not filed in the respective allotment file,” CAG noted.
The Auditor said that despite lack of any response from the allottees, GIDC has not acted on the matter so far that is sealing of the premises and taking possession of the plots.
“Due to the absence of any noting/file/decision on the matter, the inaction on show cause notices remained undetected,” it said further.
