PANJIM, FEB 1
The SEZ issue came haunting the government on Tuesday as the Opposition demanded “criminal investigation“ into the matter alleging land was illegally allotted to some Special Economic Zone (SEZ) developers in 2006.
Calmly facing the caustic remarks of Mandrem MLA Laxmikant Parsekar, Chief Minister Digamkar Kamat maintained that the government has withdrawn SEZ policy and it has every intention to take back the land allotted to SEZ developers.
The Opposition raked up the issue of alleged illegal allotment of land to SEZ developers during “Question Hour “on the second day of the Winter Session of Goa Legislative Assembly.
Mandrem MLA who tabled the question about land allotted to SEZ developers in various industrial estates by Goa Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) in 2006, said the land was allotted to two companies even before they incorporated.
Peninsula Pharma Research Centre Pvt Ltd (PPRCPL) had put in its application on March 2, 2006 whereas the company into existence on March 30, 2006 and it was allotted land on March 28, 2006.
The IDC allotted PPRCPL 2,03,650 sq mts of area in Sancoale Industrial Estate.
Similarly, Mandrekar pointed out that M/s Planetview Mercantile Co Pvt Ltd, which was allotted 132845 sq mts of areas, in Verna Industrial Estate (VEE) Phase-IV too, was given land even before the company came into existence.
Critisizing the IDC severely, Mandrem legislator questioned the haste in which it expedited the matter of allotment of land to SEZ developers. “Is IDC given a mission to finish allotment of land at earliest?” he asked.
The date of the meeting was fixed the day — April 12, 2006, IDC received applications.
The meeting was scheduled on April 19, and agenda of the meeting was sent on April 17.
Interestingly, some members of the Board got the agenda the day of the meeting and so did not attend it.
“The meeting was held and an important decision was made even as not all the members were present. The land was allotted in record time,” pointed out Mandrem MLA.
Embarrassing the government on the issue, Mandrem MLA demanded to know what action the government will take in this matter.
“Will the government probe as to who was behind this?” He asked the chief minister.
The Chief Minister tried to justify the decision of IDC claiming that both the companies in question had initiated the process of incorporation — before the application were made.
Furthermore, he said, the demand of the Opposition has no meaning because SEZ policy stands withdrawn indicating that the government has no intension to grant the Opposition’s demand.
Not satisfied by the reply the Mandrem MLA nevertheless made a caustic remark, “Will the government not act against the thief if stolen goods are found?”
