MARGAO
The United Goans Foundation (UGF) has demanded the cancellation of the provisional allotment of a plot at the Verna Industrial Estate and a comprehensive independent investigation into the role of senior GIDC officials.
In its detailed complaint made to the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary, Secretary (Industries), Director of Vigilance, Anti-Corruption Bureau and GIDC Vigilance Officer, the NGO has pointed out that the allotment appears contrary to the spirit of the 2019 opinion of the learned Advocate General, which recommended framing safeguards to prevent conflicts of interest involving employees and their family members.
The complaint further highlights that Resolution No. 11/2025 of the GIDC Board resolved to refer the matter to the Government for an appropriate decision. However, the subsequent provisional allotment order makes no reference to any Government approval, raising serious questions regarding the authority under which the allotment was issued, clearly pointing to the usurping of powers in connivance with GIDC Board members.
UGF has also questioned whether the Investment Promotion Board (IPB) route is increasingly being used as a mechanism for the allotment of public industrial land without public competition or adequate scrutiny, thereby defeating the principles of transparency and equal opportunity.
Significantly, the complaint places material before the authorities requiring immediate scrutiny of the role of the GIDC Chairman, Managing Director and the Board Members who participated in the decision-making process. UGF has requested that their actions be independently examined to determine whether there was abuse of official position, conflict of interest or procedural violations in the processing of the allotment.
The complaint also contains information received by the organisation alleging manipulation of GIDC's online plot allotment and tender systems.
In view of the seriousness of these inputs, UGF has sought a comprehensive forensic audit of all online plot allotments and tenders undertaken during the present tenure, including examination of server logs, audit trails, IP addresses, system access records and other electronic evidence.
UGF has further urged the authorities to investigate whether the present case forms part of a wider pattern wherein industrial plots are allotted to select beneficiaries through employees or their family members and subsequently transferred or sold for private financial gain.
