Land for failed projects hampering Goa's growth: Minister'

Vast tracts of land allotted for the failed Special Economic Zone (SEZ) projects is hampering Goa's industrial growth, state Industries Minister Mahadev Naik said on Friday.

Speaking to reporters, Naik said the state was unable to act on several investment proposals from private business houses as a result of the land crunch, and this was hitting Goa's industrial growth.

"The Goa Industries Promotion Board has received 21 proposals, but we could clear only 11 because in many cases there was no land available to clear the projects," Naik said.

The Congress-led coalition government in Goa had scrapped the Special Economic Zone policy in the state in 2008, after a string of protests by civil society, which was critical of mass acquisition of land for the projects.

SEZ promoters in question - namely Meditab Specialities Pvt. Ltd., Cipla group, Peninsular Pharma Research Ltd., Paradigm Logistic & Distributors, Planetview Mercantile Pvt. Ltd., Inox Mercantile Pvt. Ltd. and M/s Maxgrow - who were allotted 32 lakh square metres of land, were asked to halt all work in their allotted areas within a year.

The companies have now approached the court to appeal against the Goa government scrapping the SEZ policy.

Naik said with the case filed by the SEZ promoters now in the Supreme Court, there was little the Goa government could do as far as the already allotted land was concerned.

"The case is in the Supreme Court, I cannot say anything. The matter is sub-judice. But because of the land problem, Goa's industrial growth is suffering," Naik said, even as the Investment Promotion Board earlier this week cleared 11 projects worth Rs.1,137 crore, dealing with agro, tourism and hospitality projects.