The final reports Release one, Release two & Release three on RPG-21 (prepared by the State level Committee for Regional Plan for Goa-2021) neither demarcates the IT/ITES and EMC projects on the Taluka surface utilisation plans nor specifies any land-use planning policy for the development of IT/ITES and EMC projects in Goa. Therefore, without any policy, the development of Information Technology (IT)/Information Technology Enabled Services (ITES) Park at Chimbel village in Tiswadi Taluka and Electronic Manufacturing Clusters(EMC) at Tuem village in Pernem Taluka will be based on hidden land-use plans(for horizon year 2035?).
There was a need to have a detailed long-term IT policy that clearly defines the type, size & location of projects, based on field studies on the availability of local manpower and scope for existing physical infrastructure upgrading, without disturbing local communities. This IT policy should highlight the project details for the entire State of Goa. These master plans should find a place in the land-use planning documents.
I refer to the Request for Proposal (RFP) document dated 26/02/2015 of the InfoTech Corporation of Goa Ltd (ITG) for selection of consultant for carrying out the transaction advisory services for the development of Information Technology (IT)/Information Technology Enabled Services (ITES) & Electronic Manufacturing Clusters (EMC) in the State of Goa. Has ITG prepared any concept paper to identify the requirements for the development of IT/ITES & EMC in the State of Goa? If so, was there any stakeholder consultation process for defining suitable IT/ITES & EMC project packages in the State of Goa in terms of project type, project location & project sizing?
According to the description of work highlighted in the above referred tender document (refer chapter 4/ page 10 of the tender document), the IT/ITES park is to be located at Chimbel village of Tiswadi taluka on an area admeasuring 4, 54,025 sq mts and the EMC project is to be situated at Tuem village of Pernem Taluka in an area admeasuring 5, 97,125 sq mts. On what basis has the decision on land requirements for the new IT/ITES & EMC projects been taken by ITG? Can the master plans of the projects be prepared without approved master plans of the project (and surrounding) villages in terms of population and land-use plans?
The National Investment & Manufacturing Zones (NIMZs) concept is specifically made applicable by ITG for experience requirements of consultants..The Special Economic Zones (SEZs) have been rejected in Goa. The NIMZs are for promoting SEZs/ townships, mega industrial cities and supporting massive transportation infrastructure.
These unsustainable development projects in Goa have the potential to completely displace the existing local communities living in the project & surrounding villages, if not the entire taluka. Therefore, there is an urgent need to disclose the ultimate master plan of the IT Park along with the land-use plans.
