15 to 20 pc of industrial plots unutilized

PANJIM, DEC 6
Contrary to the scene that the land is scarce in Goa’s industrial estates, almost 15 to 20 per cent of the plots allotted to various industrial units are lying unutilized, officials said today.
Goa State Industries Association (GSIA), President Shekhar Sardessai said that association is carrying out a study about the vacant plots in the various industrial estates.
“We are conducting scientific study using Google imaging. But as per our current approximation, 15 to 20 per cent of the plots allotted in various industrial estates are unutilized,” Sardessai told media persons today afternoon.
He said GSIA will be out with proper statistics in next 10 days.
The State government has recently created a task force with GSIA as its member, with a mandate to identify such unutilized and underutilized plots in various industrial estates.
The task force is also mandated to review the existing methodology for allotment of plots and can suggest necessary changes.
Sardessai said that while such  massive land is unused, there are several entrepreneurs on the list of state-run Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC), who are waiting to set up their business and are held back due to non-availability of the plots.
The president alleged that GSIDC is not following a judicious policy while allotting the plots.
“GSIDC’s allotment policy is not fair and transparent and several allotment of plots have been done without following all the rules,” Sardessai said adding that there is need to bring in transparency and fair play in allocation of plots in industrial estates.
“Merit alone should be the basis of the allocation,” the president added.
GSIA has strongly recommended creation of an empowered screening committee, which will decide these merits based on a set criterion.