PANJIM: The State Cabinet on Monday approved cultivable area of 1,30,000 sq meters as ‘Investment Promotion Area’ (IPA). The Goa-IPB had notified the area ‘IPA’ for a project of OASIS (Old Age Social and Independent Souls), which was approved in 2016. 

The cabinet note reads, “A proposal of Goa Investment Promotion and Facilitation Board and notify the land admeasuring 1,30,000 sq meter Nos 669/1 and 683/1, Kumad Village Shiroda, Ponda, Goa. As Investment Promotion Area under Section 7(2) of Goa Investment Promotion Act, 2014.”

It further says that the Board at its 13th meeting on November 2, 2016 had recommended that the proposal of Samarpan Eco Holistics Wellness Centre, a joint project of Yoga Prabha Bharati Seva Sanstha Trust (YPBSST) and Shri Shivprasad Swami Vihar Co Op Housing Society Ltd for development project of OASIS (Old Age Social and independent Souls) on land bearing Survey Nos 669/1 and 683/1, Kumad village Shiroda, Ponda, Goa.

Further, the note moved by Industries Department reveals that the project aims at creating 312 jobs at an investment of Rs 84 cr. Accordingly, it says, the draft notification has been prepared in consonance with model notification as vetted by the Law Department.

“In terms of Goa Investment Promotion Act, 2014 the powers have been vested in the government to notify certain area as Investment Promotion Area under Section 7(2). Further, in the terms of said rules the project area exceeding 25000 sq mts requires approval of council of ministers,” the note reads.

Herald inquiries reveal that the entire Survey No 669/1 (82,000 sq mt) is a cultivable area, the survey no 683/1 (48,000 sq mt) is also majorly cultivable while very minor part is un-cultivable.