MARGAO
Is the Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) toying with a proposal to grant exemption to the seafood/ steel industries in Cuncolim Industrial Estate from the provisions of the Goa (Regulation of Land Development and Building Construction) Regulation 2010 to pave way for accommodation of workers in these units operating in the industrial estate?
A proposal to this effect was reportedly placed at the meeting of the GIDC Board recently for deliberation and discussion whether to seek exemption from the Goa government for the fish processing/ steel industries from the purview of Clause 6A.3.1e of the Goa (Regulation of land Development and Building Construction) Regulation 2010.
Sources in the know, however, told The Goan that the Board has for the moment decided to defer the proposal and to take a call after inspection of the industrial estate and after gathering more inputs from the stakeholders.
Reason: It is reliably learnt that this proposal faced opposition from a Director on the GIDC Board, who has a law background. The director raised concerns related to legal compliances and workers health and safety issues associated with such arrangements.
The proposal assumes significance and comes against the backdrop of the joint raid conducted at the Cuncolim Industrial Estate by Labour Commissioner Agnelo Fernandes and senior GIDC officials a couple of months ago wherein the team came across around 20-odd units housing workers in the fish processing and steel units.
A glance at the agenda note of the GIDC Board meeting shed light on the proposal wherein it says that during a joint inspection held by Goa-IDC along with Labour Commissioner and Inspector of Factories, it was found that many industries in Cuncolim Industrial Estate “ particularly steel manufacturing units and fish processing units “ were accommodating workers insider the industrial premises. All such units were issued show cause notices for penal action.
The note further stated that after the disciplinary action was initiated, the industrial unit holders submitted representations stating that they are facing a practical difficulty in finding accommodation for the workers in the neighbouring villages and due to seasonal nature of the fishing industry it is not possible to obtain any rental accommodation for short duration. As a result, they are compelled to accommodate some of the workers in the unit premises to ensure safety and prevent any kind of problem to the neighbouring villages, the note added.
The note, however, stated that the current regulations under The Goa (Regulation of Land Development and Building Construction) Regulation 2010 do not permit the residential quarters within industrial unit premises. Such provision is available only when the plot area is beyond 10,000 sqm as per Clause 6A.3.1(e).
Sources pointed out that the Board was scheduled to pass a resolution that in view of the special circumstances of the seafood/ steel industries in Cuncolim Industrial Estate, exemption from Rule 6A.3.1(e) of The Goa (Regulation of Land Development and Building Construction) Regulation 2010 shall be sought from the Government of Goa.
The proposal, however, was believed to have come under the scanner of Directors on the GIDC board, who expressed their strong reservations in respect of the feasibility and compliance with labour welfare laws of allowing workers to reside within the factory premises and potential health and safety implications. In fact, a director was believed to have suggested that utility plots at the Cuncolim IDC could be allocated for providing residential accommodation for workers.
Clause 6A.3.1(e) “(e) Zone I-1, 1-2, 1-3 of The Goa (Regulation of Land Development & Building Construction) Regulation 2010
Residences for staff, administrative office, canteens, medical centers, banks, convenience shopping, only as auxiliary to the main use, upto the extent of 15% of the permissible floor area ratio (FAR). The retiring room/rest room/changing room for staff, administrative office, canteen, medical centers, only as auxiliary to the main use up to the extent of 15% of the built-up area in case of industrial estates/industrial areas. Provided that no permission shall be given for housing unless the area of the plot exceeds 10,000 sq. mts. and where maximum 2.50% of built-up area is permissible.
To address this problem, it is proposed seek exemption from the State Government, in the above referred clause for units in Cuncolim Industrial Estate.
Further, necessary amendment shall also be recommended to the government for uniformity across the industrial estates based on the recommendations made by legal consultancy firm engaged by Goa-IDC, the IDC note stated.
