Goa Sena accuses IPB of illegally converting disputed lands

The Shiv Sena in Goa today demanded that the state-run Investment Promotion Board (IPB) be dissolved as it has turned into a venture to illegally convert disputed land plots.
"IPB has turned into a means to illegally convert the lands which are in litigation. In the name of industrial development, those lands which are caught in disputes are being converted," Shiv Sena Goa Chief Sudip Tamankar told reporters here.
He said IPB has allowed industrial projects at the disputed lands disrespecting the fact that the state's Regional Plan (RP) has been put on hold pending corrections.
"Since RP is on hold, common people are refused permission to convert their lands but, on the other hand, IPB has been allotting lands to the industries left right and centre without referring to the RP," Tamankar said.

IPB is headed by Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar which is a single window clearance for investment in Goa.
Shiv Sena has also questioned the Goa government's wisdom of permitting new industrial units in the state without studying their power and water requirement.

"There are two-and-a-half thousand applications for new electricity and water respectively pending before the state government. When such a backlog is awaiting permission, how can new industries find electricity and water," he questioned.
Tamankar claimed that the new investment proposals approved in the state were power and water guzzling units.
He said the state government will also have to work out the modalities to provide electricity to upcoming Greenfield airport at Mopa in North Goa which will require power round the clock.