Karnataka   

Land allotments for SEZs questioned

PANAJI: With the South Goa Lok Sabha byelection drawing closer, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has stepped up its campaign alleging grave irregularities in land acquisition by the State Government-owned industrial development body. It has questioned the allotment of land to private sector investors for the setting up of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Goa.

Senior BJP leader and former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday questioned the rationale behind allowing several SEZs in such a tiny State without conducting any assessment of environmental damage, infrastructural demand, power and water requirements, problem of garbage disposal and sewerage provisions. He said a study of the serious demographic impact it would have on the State had not been done while formulating the policy. Stung by the attack by the Opposition, the Government clarified that it had not accorded permission for SEZs in an indiscriminate manner. The Government has till now recommended the setting up of 15 SEZs, out of which seven have been approved by the Centre. Two have already been notified. They comprise an information technology SEZ to be built by the Raheja Group at Verna in South Goa and a pharmaceutical SEZ to be built by the Cipla Group at Keri in North Goa.

The BJP has repeatedly questioned the way in which the Goa Industrial Development Corporation has been continuously acquiring and allotting land to private parties for SEZ projects. Laxmikant Parsekar, a BJP MLA, joined Mr. Parrikar in his criticism against the “indiscriminate” land allotments made by the GIDC, the value of which had allegedly exceeded Rs. 300 crore. They said land was being clandestinely allotted at extremely low rates, causing heavy losses to the State exchequer.

Mr. Parsekar said the GIDC had not advertised the proposed sale of industrial plots. “The Board has not declared the acquired land as that meant for Special Economic Zones through any decree, but has handed them over to developers. Mr. Parsekar said his party would file criminal cases against members of the GIDC Board for the losses incurred.

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