Takes back over 12 lakh sq mtrs
PANAJI
The State government has exempted stamp duty of Rs 1.98 crore on a deed of surrender executed between Meditab Specialities Limited and the Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) for the return of 12,32,000 square metres of SEZ land at Keri in Ponda. The total value of the deed is Rs 33 crore.
In an order issued on February 13, Under Secretary (Revenue) Agnelo D’Souza said the government granted the stamp duty exemption of Rs 1,98,00,000 for the surrender of the SEZ land at Keri village.
The State Cabinet had decided in January last year to take back the land allotted to Meditab in 2006–07 for setting up a Special Economic Zone (SEZ). The government has now decided to use the land for other purposes.
The Goa SEZ Policy, 2006 was introduced to promote economic growth and attract investment by setting up SEZs across the State. Under the policy, land was allotted to seven promoters. GIDC had allotted over 12 lakh square metres of land at Keri, Ponda to Meditab.
However, strong public opposition to the policy led the government to issue a white paper in December 2007, raising concerns over limited economic benefits. The government later withdrew the SEZ policy in 2008. GIDC issued show-cause notices to all SEZ promoters, including Meditab, and formally cancelled the allotments on June 24, 2008.
The promoters challenged the decision before the Bombay High Court at Goa, which in November 2010 upheld the State’s decision to withdraw the policy. The matter was later challenged in the Supreme Court of India, where it is still pending.
