MARGAO
Velim AAP MLA Cruz Silva has reiterated his opposition to the Government’s decision to grant freehold rights over GIDC industrial plots, warning that any arbitrary implementation without transparent valuation, adequate safeguards and proper scrutiny will be challenged through all appropriate legal and constitutional remedies.
“If the Government attempts to implement the freehold provision arbitrarily, without transparent valuation, adequate safeguards or proper scrutiny, I will examine and pursue every appropriate legal and constitutional remedy available. The Government may have passed the law, but that does not give it a blank cheque to transfer valuable industrial land without protecting public interest,” Silva said.
Silva said he had opposed the move when the Goa Ease of Doing Business (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill, 2026 was brought before the Assembly and continues to oppose the conversion of industrial land into private freehold property. The Bill was passed by the Goa Legislative Assembly on September 2, 2026, amid Opposition objections, empowering GIDC to grant freehold rights over allotted industrial plots on payment of a freehold premium and to frame regulations governing the process.
“The Bill may have been passed, but my position has not changed. Industrial land was allotted for a specific public purpose. Its conversion into freehold property must not happen without ensuring that the public interest is fully protected,” Silva said.
Silva demanded that, before the first freehold title is issued, the Government publish the complete implementation framework, including eligibility criteria, valuation methodology, freehold premium, treatment of outstanding dues, compliance requirements and conditions governing future use and transfer of the property.
He also demanded a mandatory compliance and utilisation audit before any conversion, stating that non-functional units, chronic defaulters and units violating allotment conditions should not automatically qualify for freehold status.
Silva further demanded legally enforceable safeguards to ensure that freehold industrial plots cannot subsequently be diverted for residential, commercial or other non-industrial purposes. He also called for an independent valuation and audit mechanism, particularly for large and high-value plots.
He demanded a dedicated public disclosure system through which every freehold conversion is placed in the public domain, including the plot number, area, original allotment details, valuation adopted, premium paid, dues and conditions attached to the grant.
He clarified that his opposition is not against genuine entrepreneurs seeking greater security for their investments.
