PANJIM: Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) has decided to auction a certain portion of the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) land that it has re-acquired in order to arrange approximately Rs 50 crore to unlock the balance 14 lakh sq mtrs of land, lying with two other SEZ promoters.
Following directions from the Supreme Court, the government has recovered 24 lakh sq mtrs of land from five SEZ promoters by paying them an amount of Rs 200 crore. Another 14 lakh sq mtrs of land remains locked with two promoters, with whom the government is currently negotiating.
Speaking to media persons, GIDC chairman Glen Ticlo said the corporation needs Rs 40-Rs 50 crore to unlock the balance 14 lakh sq mtrs of land. “To arrange for the money, we have decided to auction five lakh sq mtrs of SEZ land, which has already been acquired. The auction will invite only those bidders interested in a new industrial set up or expansion of its existing unit,” Ticlo said.
The chairman confirmed that IDC is currently in talks with the two promoters to unlock the land, which is around 14 lakh sq mtrs.
Of the around 38 lakh sq mts of land locked as SEZs, 24.05 lakh sq mts was allotted to five companies in Verna, 12.32 lakh sq mts to one company at Keri, and 2.04 lakh sq mts to one company in Sancoale.
Five out of seven promoters had approached Apex Court after High Court in its judgment in 2010 set aside the land allotments to all SEZ promoters calling it as illegal. The Supreme Court later in 2011 directed the Centre, State and GIDC to maintain a status-quo on SEZ land allotment. In February, last year, it directed the State to hold discussion and work out amicable solution in the matter.
Following a public protest, in 2008 the then Congress government had scrapped all the SEZs and withdrawn the State SEZ policy.
