Team Herald
PANJIM: In what could conflict with Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar’s claim that the Investment Promotion Board’s (IPB) 13th and 14th meeting were ‘invalid’ and ‘technically illegal’, the IPB Act allows granting in-principle approval to projects by a ‘quorum of six members’ and this quorum existed at the last two meetings which were chaired by then Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar.
It is learnt that Parsekar, the then chairman of the IPB, had approved granting extension to the private members, whose terms expired in October 2016, however, no notification in that regard was issued.
The IPB, constituted in October 2014 as per the Goa Investment Promotion Act, had 13 members including the Chief Minister as Chairman, Minister for Information and Technology, Minister for Tourism, Minister for Industries as its vice chairpersons and members like Secretary Industries, Secretary Tourism, President CII – Goa Council, President Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Marin Ghosh, Atul Pai Kane, Shekhar Sardesai and Nitin Kuncolienkar. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) was the Member Secretary.
“The Chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the Board. The quorum for meetings of the Board shall be six members and at least two of such members shall be government representatives,” the IPB Act states.
Highly placed sources confirmed that for both the meetings – 13th and 14th held in November and December 2016 – there was a quorum of six that included the Chairman, three vice chairmen and two members – who are government representatives – Secretaries of Industries and Tourism.
“Hence, the meeting stands legal as six government nominees were present for meeting. It was also attended by the CEO,” sources said.
When contacted, IPB CEO Ashton Godinho refused to comment on the matter stating that he was on six month sick leave during that period. “I have no idea and would not like to comment. I was not on duty at that time,” he stated, adding that Director Information and Publicity Srinet Kotwale was holding the additional charge as CEO.
Kotwale, admitting that he held charge as CEO during 14th meeting, said that the meeting was held as per the quorum, while refusing to comment further. “Meeting was attended by seven members including me. It was as per the quorum as specified in the Act,” he said.
Sources said that during the meeting held on December 21, 2016, Kotwale had informed the then Chairman about the expiry of the term of six private members. However, the ex-chairman, who was also the State Chief Minister informed in return that the file has already been approved for granting extension to these private members for a period of two months ending December 2016.
Several attempts were made to reach Parsekar as well as the Secretary Industries Sudhir Mahajan, but both were unavailable.
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KPMG will bill on hourly rate,
to be on board from August
PANJIM: KPMG, the satellite consultant for the IPB will come on board by August. The agency will help the board in auditing the proposals received. The agency has been hired for a year and its services can be extended based on performance.
IPB CEO Ashton Godinho said the fees had been negotiated and like any consultancy it would be billed on an hourly basis. However, staff at the consultancy, irrespective of designation, would be on the same rate.
The consultancy will assess proposals and make recommendations but the final decision will be with the IPB Chairman who is the CM.
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IPB 13th and 14 meeting: ALL THAT HAPPENED
IPB, constituted in October 2014 as per the Goa Investment Promotion Act, had 13 members including CM as Chairman, Ministers for IT, Tourism, Industries as vice chairpersons, Secretaries Industry, Tourism, President CII-Goa, President GCCI, private members
IPB Act allows grant of in-principle approval to projects by a ‘quorum of six members’ which existed at the last two meetings and chaired by then CM Laxmikant Parsekar
– Parsekar had approved granting extension to the private members, whose terms expired in October 2016, however, no notification was issued, but THIS WAS NOT NOTIFIED. Hence Parrikar correct on the technical front
