PANJIM: The BJP-led government on Friday reconstituted the Goa Investment Promotion and Facilitation Board (IPFB) under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.
Though the new Board has been constituted, it is learnt that the government will amend the Goa Investment Promotion Act 2014, to tighten permissions. Also coalition partners have been promised by the Chief Minister that permissions granted by the earlier Board will be reviewed.
In an order issued on Friday, the 12-member Board has been reconstituted with Chief Minister and Minister for Industries being the Ex-Officio Chairperson. The Industries portfolio is currently with Parrikar.
Information and Technology Minister Rohan Khaunte and Tourism Minister Manohar Azgaonkar have been appointed as vice chairpersons of the Board.
The other members of the IPFB are Secretary Industries and Tourism, Atrey Sawant, Ernest Dias, Yatin Kakodkar, Girish Bharne, Rajkumar Kamat and Shekhar Sardessai. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) will be the member secretary.
When contacted, Azgaonkar refused to comment on the development stating “he is busy”.
The Goa Investment Promotion Act 2014 was introduced to facilitate single window clearance for investors desiring to invest in the State. The IPBF was constituted for speedy clearance of investment proposals above Rs 5 crore.
Till December last year, the Board held 11 meetings granting in-principle approvals to 152 projects with total proposed investment of Rs 11,759.41 crore with employment potential of 26,600 person.
The Board came under major criticism, over permission to Vani Agro Farms Pvt Ltd for setting up a red category industry of alcohol and brewery at Amdai in Sanguem Taluka, and to Ozone Leisure and Resorts Pvt Ltd for a resort at Vanxim. It drew flak over conversions of huge chunk of land from agriculture, orchard to settlement. It even allowed projects in the no-development zone.
