GCCI seeks time for industries to regularise illegal structures

Against the backdrop of ten-fold rise in the fine imposed by the Goa government on illegal constructions in industrial estates, Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) has said industries should be given at least six months time to regularise their structures.

The GCCI has recently submitted a memorandum in this regard to the Goa government.

"All the constructions, which are otherwise within permissible limits but deemed 'illegal' only because proper permission was not taken from Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC), may now be given a time of say six months to approach the GIDC and obtain necessary sanctions and get their structures regularised," GCCI said in the memorandum addressed to Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar.

"A token processing fee ofRs 5,000 may be levied for expeditious clearance," the apex body said.

State government, during last monsoon session of the Legislative Assembly, had passed Goa Industrial Development (Amendment) Act, 2015 so as to enhance the penalty on illegal constructions in industrial estates.

Accordingly, penalty for construction or use of land and buildings contrary to terms of holding has been raised from existing Rs 10,000 to Rs 100,000 and fine for continuing contravention has been increased from existing Rs 500 to Rs 5,000 per day, GCCI pointed out.

Also, fine for use of any land or building in an industrial estate or industrial area contrary to the terms of allotment has been increased from Rs 5,000 to Rs 50,000.

GCCI has demanded all those constructions which have exceeded their permissible FAR (floor area ratio) may be considered for additional FAR (up to 150 per cent) as proposed in the new Investment Policy.

"Correspondingly, the ground coverage ratio should be increased from 50 per cent to 70 per cent. Such units may now be given a time of say six months to approach GIDC and obtain necessary sanctions and get their structures regularised. A nominal fee for additional FAR may be levied," GCCI said.