Team Herald
PANJIM: Neither the controversial Vanxim resort nor the Vani Agro Farms Pvt Ltds’ alcohol and brewery projects figure in the list of 13 projects, granted in-principle approval by the Investment Promotion and Facilitation Board (IPB), which are under the government scanner and referred to the satellite consultant for scrutiny.
As per information furnished to a question tabled by Leader of the Opposition Chandrakant Kavalekar, 13 projects with a total investment of Rs 1308.42 crore, approved by IPB have been referred to the satellite consultant for examination.
The reason cited for referring the projects for further examination is that the projects are proposed on settlement zones marked as per the Regional Plan 2021.
Goa Tourism Development Corporation’s (GTDC) proposed development-cum-renovation of GTDC Residency at Britona through private investment mode is amongst the projects that have been sent to the consultants. It is a Rs 105 crore project.
The proposed international Convention Centre with 4-star and 5-star hotels to be developed by Shine Enterprises Pvt Ltd at an estimated cost of Rs 385 crore, at Sangolda on an land measuring approximately16,363 sq mtrs, is also under government scanner.
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said in the Assembly during the monsoon session that 12 to 13 projects have been referred to the consultant for analysis.
“We took a review of all the 151 projects. Out of the total projects, 80-90 were moving towards completion or almost completed. Ten projects were virtually closed by the promoters themselves,” he had told the House.
“As far as 12-13 projects are concerned, they are lacking some information. We have decided that these projects would be carefully analysed by a satellite consultant who is appointed by the State government,” the Chief Minister had added.
The BJP-led coalition government decided to go for a review of the IPB approved projects which were under the scrutiny of its alliance partners – Goa Forward Party and Independent MLA Rohan Khaunte – who had objected to red category industry – Vani Agro Project at Sanguem – when they were in the opposition. Khaunte is also Vice-Chairman of the IPB of which Parrikar is the chairman.
The Chief Minister had also told the Legislative Assembly that the Vani Agro project has been kept on hold.
The other projects sent for review includes OASIS, a 36-room luxury resort, 30-room resort, star hotel, wedding destination, eco-tourism project and shopping mall and entrainment centre.
