PANAJI
The Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) has denied allegations of favouritism in the allotment of excavation-related work, insisting that it does not award such contracts while also deciding to use all excavated rubble solely for its own projects.
Addressing a press briefing after GIDC’s 395th Board meeting on Tuesday, Chairman Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco dismissed allegations made by the All Goa Excavator Owners Association, calling them “baseless”.
“These allegations are baseless. IDC does not award excavation contracts. We only allot plots. It’s the plot owners who carry out excavation works/processes,” Lourenco said, quickly adding that the Board has approved the adoption of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the management of excavated soil within GIDC industrial estates.
So also, as part of its ongoing efforts to streamline operations and ensure optimal resource management, the GIDC has decided to introduce new guidelines for handling excavated soil within industrial estates.
“According to the proposed policy, all excavated soil generated during development or construction activities will be considered the property of Goa-IDC. To maintain uniformity and accountability, the soil must be deposited at designated collection points identified by the Field Manager of each respective industrial estate,” he said.
Lourenco condemned what he described as threats issued by the excavator owners’ association to halt operations at IDCs. “Someone can’t come and threaten to shut down IDC operations. We know what we are doing, and we are not going to be bullied, especially when we know we are right,” he said.
The All Goa Excavator Owners Association has accused GIDC of favouring contractors from outside the State and warned of mass protests unless their demands, including the resignation of officials and formulating a policy to prioritise Goan machinery operators, are met.
President of the Goa State Industries Association, Anirudh Dempo, also present at the press briefing, said that all procedures are followed in accordance with the rules.
“If any party believes there’s wrongdoing, they can take legal recourse, but coercion or threats cannot be the way to do business,” he said.
GCCI Director General Sanjay Amonkar reiterated that IDC does not and will not award excavation contracts. “This is a competitive age. Whoever gives the best rate, as per government rules, will get the contract. Laws are in place and cannot be changed at anyone’s whim,” he added.
