Weightage for job creation in GIDC plot rules

PANAJI: The Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) on Wednesday approved the revised allotment criteria for plots at industrial estates, giving weightage to employment generation, quantum of investment, viability of the project and the category of the industrial unit.
A four-member screening committee, which scrutinizes applications for GIDC plots, drafted the guidelines and submitted them to GIDC. The GIDC board, which met on Wednesday, approved the selection criteria and will put it up for public information.
“The main idea is to see the viability of the project, the benefit it will bring to the state, the pollution category, the number of jobs that will be created, and the educational qualifications of the project proponent,” said a board member.
The corporation had framed the ‘GIDC Allotment Regulations’ in 2012 to bring in transparency and to avoid manipulation in the allotment of plots. As part of the regulations, a four-member screening committee was also constituted to scrutinise the applications.
The GIDC board also approved the waiver of interest penalty that was levied on the Goa Waste Management Corporation, which has taken up a plot at the Pissurlem industrial estate to set up a hazardous waste treatment plant.
Board members deferred a proposal to spend Rs 4 crore to set up a solid waste collection shed at Verna and asked GIDC to prepare a detailed project report, especially operational details before spending the money.
Spending on infrastructure improvement such as extension of water pipelines, improvement of roads, entry points at industrial estates and other minor works were approved by the board.
The board also discussed a proposal to set up accommodation for labourers and industrial workers along the lines announced by chief minister Pramod Sawant in his budget speech. Sources said that no decision was arrived at and that the agenda item was deferred.
GIDC toying with hike in industry lease rent:
Panaji: Goa Industrial Development Corporation is once again toying with the idea of increasing lease rent for industrial plots, a move that is sure to draw flak from entrepreneurs and industry bodies. GIDC moved a proposal to bring lease rental rates on par with “prevailing rates”, but the board decided to keep the proposal on hold and seek legal opinion before going ahead.
GIDC attempted a similar move in 2018 but had to beat a hasty retreat after all-round criticism from the industry.
A couple of days earlier, chief minister Pramod Sawant held a meeting with all government departments and corporations and asked them to find additional sources of revenue.