Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) and industry representatives were taken by surprise when a routine exercise to survey open spaces in industrial estates in order to develop them into industrial plots revealed that few of the open spaces have been encroached upon. This has led to the GIDC officials issuing show-cause notices to the encroachers asking them to demolish or correct the error.
GIDC Managing Director, Derrick P Neto, has promised to take appropriate action against encroachers while also stating that the industry body also plans to put in place a policy that will offer existing entrepreneurs the adjacent plots at a 50% higher price.
These encroachments came to be known after the GIDC made an announcement that open spaces would be developed to be made into industrial plots following which the GSIA and Verna Industries Association members conducted surveys at open spaces at Verna before the land could be demarcated for plots.
Commenting on the development, GSIA President Damodar Kochkar said, “GIDC made plans for plots which they sent to me before the board meeting. I saw that one of the plots they have made already has a structure. At the board meeting, when all plots were discussed, i told them that there is a structure in one of the plots.”
According to GIDC data, Adage Automation Pvt Ltd has encroached into two open plots at Verna admeasuring 1,911 and 1,970 sq. mts. Neto in his statement has further said that in the next board meeting, a policy decision is going to be made to existing entreprenuers adjacent plots at higher rates which will also aid GIDC in earning revenue. Nonetheless, industry representatives have demanded for strict action to be taken against irregularities with an objective of sending across a stern message to deter any such encroachments in future.
