Team Herald
PANJIM: The State government has finally unlocked 34 lakh sq mts of land that had been allotted to the promoters of the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) over a decade ago.
Following directions from the Supreme Court, that had directed both parties – government and the promoters – to discuss and work out an amicable solution on the matter, the government has paid the fiver promoters Rs 200 crore to unlock the land.
Speaking to media persons, Goa Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) chairman Glen Ticlo said the government has taken back land from the five SEZ promoters, who had moved to Supreme Court. “The land of about 34 lakh sq mts is now in government possession,” he said. “An amount of Rs 200 crore has been paid to the companies,” Ticlo said, adding that the government is in talks with other two companies, having land of another 14 lakh sq mtrs for unlocking it.
In all 24 lakhs sq mts in Verna, 12 lakhs sq mts in Keri and two lakh sq mts in Sancoale had been allotted to the SEZs in 2008.
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 illegal. The Supreme Court later in 2011 directed the Centre, State and IDC to maintain status-quo on SEZ land allotment.
Following a public protest, the then Congress government in Goa had scrapped all SEZs and withdrawn the State SEZ policy in 2008. Three of the seven SEZs had already been notified by the Trade and Commerce Ministry.
