the goan I network
PANAJI
Goa Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) chairman and Aldona MLA Glenn Ticlo said five of the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) promoter companies have returned their land, aggregating 24-odd lakhs square meters back to the Corporation.
Two other SEZ promoter companies collectively holding approximately 14-lakh square meters, however, were yet to return the land and are reportedly not agreeing to the out-of-court terms of settlement for the reversion of land back to the Corporation.
Ticlo meanwhile did not specify which five had accepted payment and returned the land and which two had refused to do so. He nevertheless added that the two companies were still at the negotiating table.
Industries Minister Vishwajit Rane meanwhile held a meeting with Secretary of Industries Nila Mohanan and other officials on Thursday to discuss the SEZ tangle.
Rane later told the media that the government wanted to ensure that industrial land, even if auctioned, would be maintained as industrial land and not be used for any other purposes. Of the 38 lakh square meters of industrial land owned by the government, 5 lakh square meters will be auctioned. “Whatever decisions were taken earlier will be reviewed,” said Rane. “We do not want things like malls coming up on industrial land,” he added saying that the government would have to review and decide what kind of industries were needed in Goa.
Rane also said that the Department of Industries needed a “vision document” as fast as possible to know in which direction it is heading, as well as the present situation, and whether the government has the right kind of data available with them. For the same, the government will bring on board experts, as well as youth of around 28-29 years of age.
He also said that they would deliberate on whether regulations of the IDC need to be changed. Further, Rane wants to have a meeting with the officials and all the Industrial Estate residents to hear their grievances, before making amendments to the IDC Act, if needed. He also stressed that priority would be given to “green industries.”
Rane also said that he would be visiting all “industrial” land lying vacant in the state, and along with the Secretary decide on how to go forward with the issue.
