Team Herald
PANJIM: In a significant development, the State Cabinet has decided to drop the cases related to the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) scam pending before the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) once the settlement with the promoters to unlock 38 lakh sq mtrs of land, allotted to them more than a decade ago is completed.
The decision has come as major relief to three senior Congress leaders – former Chief Minister Pratapsingh Rane, then Industries Minister Luizinho Faleiro and ex-chairman of Goa Industries Development Corporation (GIDC) Chandrakant Kavalekar – who were under the ACB scanner, as the land allotment had taken place during their tenure as respective heads.
The State Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, has also decided to direct GSIDC to pay Rs 256 crore to five SEZ promoters, who had approached the government for settlement.
Sources confirmed that the Cabinet has resolved to drop the SEZ scam case pending before ACB once the amount is paid to the promoters and the land is reverted back. “GIDC will have to pay Rs 256 crore to the promoters. This includes Rs 133 crore principal amount and the balance Rs 123 crore is the interest as on date,” sources said.
Five of the seven SEZ promoters – K Raheja & Corporation, Peninsula Pharma Research Centre, Planetview Mercantile Co, Inox Mercantile Company and Paradigm Logistics & Distribution – that had approached the Supreme Court, submitted proposals to the government stating they are ready to hand over the land, provided the government refunds the amount paid by them to purchase the land along with the 15 per cent interest.
The proposal came following directions from the Supreme Court, that during its order in February asked the government and the promoters to discuss and work out an amicable solution to the matter.
A FIR against unknown was registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act and other sections based on a complaint filed by deputy general manager (legal) of GIDC in 2012. ACB officials had claimed names of the accused will be added once the probe, which is in the final stages, is completed. ACB had questioned Rane, Faleiro and Kavalekar in the matter on several occasions.
ACB had drawn a list of 20 people, including officers and politicians who were linked to the allotment of land to seven SEZs at throwaway prices.
The promoters had approached the Apex Court after the High Court in its judgment in 2010 set aside the land allotments to all SEZ promoters dubbing it as illegal. The Supreme Court later in 2011 directed Centre, State and IDC to maintain status-quo on SEZ land allotment.
Following a public protest, the then Congress government had scrapped all the SEZs and withdrawn the State SEZ policy in 2008. Three of the seven SEZs had already been notified by the Trade and Commerce Ministry.
