Five units get IPB nod for expansion

Panaji: Unavailability of developed plots with Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) and concern over the legitimacy of some of the investment proposals prompted the Goa Investment Promotion Board (IPB) to defer approvals to nine projects.

Five units that sought permission to expand operations had better luck with the board, which is headed by chief minister Manohar Parrikar, giving a positive nod to them.

One project proposal was withdrawn by the promoter of the project.

Birla Furukawa Fibre Optics, Finolex Cables, Dura-Line India, Glenmark Pharma and Titan Time Products got approvals to expand operations bringing in potential investment of Rs 168.71 crore and creating jobs for around 209 people.

These units do not require land for expansion, IPB officials pointed out.

The board met on Friday afternoon to deliberate over 15 projects and also review the functioning of IPB.

"As per Goa IDC regulations, 40% of the industrial land is earmarked for projects cleared by the promotion board," an IPB official said.

"Usually, Goa IDC advertises for plots and entrepreneurs apply. The projects that come to us are out of turn approvals," he added.

However, a senior official with the industries department pointed out that GIDC had run out of developed plots, which could be allotted.

Though industrial plots are available, they lack infrastructure and amenities such as power and water supply.

IPB board members did express hope that the issue about the paucity of land would be resolved once the Town and Country Planning department approved the proposal to reduce open spaces in industrial estates to 10% from the existing 15%.

TCP is also expected to permit an increase in plot coverage and FAR for existing and new industrial units that operate in the notified industrial estates operated by GIDC.

"We want to be a bit cautious about the approvals that are given. There have been cases where people take land and then sub-lease it or don't use it. This is why we have deferred projects and sought further information," an IPB board member said.

Once the project proponents submit the additional data that the board has sought, the project proposal will be scrutinized again and then brought before the board.

During the meeting, an internal committee was formed to formulate a standard operating procedure (SOP) for IPB's internal functioning and work flow.

"An SOP is required to streamline the application and approval process," an official said.