PANAJI
The plot of land sold by the Goa Government to Syngenta (then Ciba Geigy and now Deccan Fine Chemicals) standing at 7.53 lakh sq mts is larger than the upcoming IT Park at Chimbel, as well as the Electronic City at Tuem and larger than most industrial estates in the State.
The government land sold way back in 1969 is larger than even the plots allotted to the SEZ companies in 2009. Each of the SEZ companies Meditab promoted by Cipla was allotted nearly 4.98 lakh sq mts, in Keri, Ponda, Peninsula Biotech for its Biotechnology Park in Sancoale was given 82,414 sq mts while the Rahejas were given 4.28 lakh sq mts in Verna and falls behind only to the Verna, Kundaim, Cuncolim Pissurlem and Quitol industrial estates in terms of area.
Verna Industrial Estate stands at a total of 70.5 lakh sq mts while Kundaim stands at 24.98 lakh sq mts. Cuncolim, Pissurlem and Quitol have between 8-9 lakh sq mts respectively.
“It is a very large piece of land to be held by just one industry. Which is why we have reason to believe that it is primarily a real estate deal,” Baptist Pereira of the Corlim Civic and Consumer Forum which is leading the charge against the sale of the plant from Syngenta to Deccan Fine Chemicals has said.
The only other industry to own a large tract of land is Zuari Agro Chemicals at Sancoale.
“We would have no problem if the government takes back the land and converts it into an industrial estate or an IT or pharma industrial estate,” Pereira adds.
The CCCF also believes that sellers have undervalued the land and plant or could have ignored the value of the land altogether while making the sale.
“If this is a loss-making unit and there is no market for the products then why will Deccan Fine Chemicals buy it? Either they want to scrap the existing plant and start manufacturing something new, which is not something we want or it is a real estate deal,” Pereira said.
Deccan Fine Chemicals, received clearance from the Competition Commission of India for its buying of the Corlim unit from Syngenta AG. “Back in 1969 there was no one living in the area. Now it’s a very populated place, we do not want a chemical industry here,” Pereira adds.
