It is ironic that the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Babu Kavalekar is asking a written question about the status of plots allotted in the GIDC industrial estates. Ironic because it is Mr Kavalekar as chairman of the GIDC, undermined the system and processes so badly that even today six years later the GIDC has not been able to come out of its comatose condition.
Mr Kavalekar was the chairman when the infamous allotments were done. Being a junior he had to watch his senior Congress colleagues manipulate the allotments to the SEZ applicants. The allotments were made in haste and without following established procedures. Based on this the SEZs were finally scrapped. Mr Kavalekar did not benefit from the allotments, what he did gain was experience, experience that he put to good use subsequently by ensuring that no plot was allotted or transferred without going through him.
Towards the fag end of the corrupt Congress regime, because of intense pressure from the Goa State Industries Association, the then CM Digambar Kamat announced a committee to study “Under/Unutilised plots”. Even while this committee was doing its job, Babu transferred 15000 sqm held in his wife’s name and another 35000 sqm held by a front to Watson, despite there being a ban on transfer of unutilised plots. Till date no action has been taken by the subsequent governments who shout from the roof tops “Zero Tolerance to Corruption”.
However, it is not difficult to understand why no action is taken, the age old adage “those who live in glass houses cannot throw stones”. Cut to circa 2017, at the Goa State Industries Association, AGM on July 17, the outgoing President put forth a strong case against the illegal transfer of 2 lakh sqm of Metastrips to a logistics company, in total contravention of the rules and regulations in force. CM Manohar Parrikar, who was the Chief Guest, listened silently but did not make a comment.
His predecessor CM Parsekar, organised the transfer one day before the elections results were declared. Despite the fact that the rules prohibit transfer of manufacturing land to a service industry and the fact that 2 lakh sqm is just too large a land to give one entity with no track record. This was the reason the screening committee was set up in GIDC, to prevent plots being taken in grandmothers names but by genuine investors. As usual even the transfer fees were compromised. Babu did it then with everyone’s knowledge, Parsekar did it now with everyone’s knowledge so it is better to keep things quiet and move on.
Can you imagine, how many entrepreneurs would have got plots if GIDC had reprocessed the land as per the terms and re-allotted it as smaller plots or even to a bigger more reputed industry? No, that is not beneficial to the powers that be. Why is this transfer not subject to review since it has transgressed rules, the logic used to review IPB projects?
Unfortunately, this apathy for GIDC is affecting industry which is an employment generator. Consider this, a MNC wanted a place of lease till its own shed came up. The Parsekar government proactively arranged for a shed which has been vacant for 10 years of more and changed the sublease rules so that it became viable for the company to start quickly. This was announced at the Verna Industries Association AGM in late 2016. This is the sort of attitude required to make industry want to set up on Goa. Unfortunately, this was an exception.
The records show that plots allotted are not utilised as per the terms and conditions but no action is taken. When the BJP first came to power, GIDC under the Chairmanship of Mr Parrikar, unutilised plots were withdrawn. Now, why is similar action not being taken? GIDC officials watch toothless.
There is no decision on the plots with employees. How can anyone take action against the employees when no action is considered against Babu Kavlekar whose actions not only undermined the Corporation but also the entire industrial scenario in Goa? Therefore for GIDC to have any hope in recovering, first and foremost action must be taken against the erstwhile Chairman, then any remedial action against other defaulters can be considered.
The entire industry is waiting for the GIDC board to meet; till date the first meeting of the board under the new Chairman has not been called. The screening committee has to be reconstituted, as there are transfer cases pending.
Just before the code of conduct came into operation in Dec 16, the GIDC moved quickly, very quickly and converted extra open space into plots in Verna. These were advertised and allotted just before the code came into practice. Today nine months later, there is no sign of handing over procession. With the then Chairman losing the election, the officials are now clueless about what to do. Can you imagine the plight of investors? They would be all set to start their project, maybe borrow money to pay the installment and now what, they are stuck and no one is bothered about their plight. GIDC from their reply in the assembly has not even acknowledged that the plots were allotted in Dec 16 and till date procession is not handed over. What was the haste in making the plots and allotting them just before the election? Your guess is as good as mine. However, Goa and industry suffers.
There is an urgent need for GSIA, GCCI and CII to get together and sort out this mess called GIDC. If they can, it will be huge favour for Goan industry which is struggling to “Make in India”.
(The author prefers to write rather than chat in a balcao)
