SEZ MESS
Unauthorised meet okayed land
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Not only did the Goa Industrial Development Corporation act in haste to allot plots to the K Raheja Corp Pvt Ltd for an SEZ, but they increased the floor area ratio (FAR) on par with the IT habitat at Dona Paula and even sacrificed plans of setting up a government SEZ to allot 300 acres to Meditab Specialities Pvt Ltd. In addition, though the still ‘under formation’ Peninsula Research & Development Centre, Sancoale, had applied for Export Processing Zone status, SEZ status was conferred. The reason: the ‘government feels it could be an SEZ’.
The list of irregularities goes on. Documents acquired by anti-SEZ activists under RTI reveal that allotment of land to Raheja’s was done at the GIDC board meeting on April 19, 2006, attended by only four members—GIDC chairman Chandrakant Kavlekar, MLA Aleixo Sequeira, Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Nitin Kunkolienkar and Managing director A V Palekar. Other board members, including the director of industries were absent.
A possible explanation for their absence is that they received the notice of the meeting at the time when the meeting was already in progress. Three board members — secretary industries, director industries and chief electrical engineer—acknowledged receipt of the notice with signatures on April 19, 2006 at around 5 pm, an hour after the scheduled start of the meeting.
Going by the industries and labour department regulations this meeting should not have taken place as there was no quorum. The regulations state: ‘four members present will form a quorum provided that at least one of the members nominated under section 4 (1) (d) (in this case industries director) of the Goa, Daman and Diu Industrial Development Act, 1965, other than the chairman is present’. Meditab asked for 250 acres, GIDC offered 300 instead
Panaji: At another BOD meeting on March 9, 2007, it was resolved to approve ‘the proposal to allot for development adjoining open areas and to construct and maintain land under roads to the respective units at the rate of Rs 100 per sq mt’. This was decided as the BOD felt that if the Goa Infrastructure Development Corporation (GIDC) was to develop the open spaces and also construct roads, it would have cost the corporation at least Rs 250 per sq mt.
Therefore to save this Rs 250 per sq mt, they allotted the Rahejas (as per the lease agreement) 1,85,173 sq mts for Rs 100. Had GIDC charged Rs 600 for this area of 7,91,732 sq metres, the same that they had charged for the plot, it would have earned a cool Rs 11 crore and more.
After all approvals were granted to the Rahejas and a lease deal signed on July 25, 2006, in GIDC board meeting held on March 9, 2007, it was decided to increase the FAR to 150, at par with the IT park at Dona Paula. This was subsequently approved by the Town and Country Planning (TCP) department.
If exclusive treatment to Rahejas by GIDC shocks, then there is more.
When Meditab Specialities wrote to the then industries minister Luizinho Faleiro on March 10, 2006 requesting allotment of 250 acres land at Keri, not only did the minister send a note to the GIDC asking it to allot 250 acres to Meditab, but also had a discussion with the industries secretary, wherein it was decided to scrap the GIDCs proposed SEZ, “if the party insists on the larger area then it would be appropriate to consider their request for the entire area of 300 acres instead of 250 acres.”
This is clearly mentioned in the agenda note for GIDC’s March 28, 2006 meeting regarding the Meditab proposal for allotment of land.
And shockingly, though Meditab states that they have sub-leased the plot acquired by them, a letter from the GIDC dated February 19, 2008 states ‘sub-lease by the company of portion of land granted to the company at Keri for SEZ is not available with us’. This despite the fact that if any SEZ developer wants to sub-lease land, they have to inform the GIDC as per the lease agreement.
Further, the third notified SEZ in Goa, the ‘under formation’ Peninsula Research & Development Centre, had applied on March 2, 2006 for the status of an Export Processing Zone. However, it got SEZ status as ‘the government feels it could be a SEZ’. This is recorded in the minutes of the GIDC BOD meeting dated March 28, 2006.
June 13, 2008, The Times of India, Goa Edition
Friday, June 13, 2008
Goa's SEZ mess: How it all started
SPECIAL TREATMENT FOR SPECIAL PEOPLE?
SEZ mess: How it all started
How Pratapsingh And Luizinho Pushed Deals And How Land Went As Cheap As Rs 80 Per Sq Metre
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: The Special Economic Zone Act was enacted by the Centre in June 2005, but the Goa government was exploring possibilities right from December 2004.
The first time that the government considered SEZs was on December 29, 2004, when under the chairmanship of then chief minister Manohar Parrikar a decision was taken at a Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) meeting to earmark land for a food park, a biotech park and an SEZ.
At a subsequent meeting on April 15, 2005 chaired by industries secretary Jayashree Raghuraman (Goa was then under Central rule), it was decided to “explore the possibility of setting up food park and SEZ at Keri and bio-tech park at Verna”.
It was two months later—June 23—that the Centre enacted the SEZ Act 2005 and another 12 months—June 5, 2006—before the Goa government came up with an SEZ policy. In the meantime, in March and April 2006 GIDC had already accepted applications from companies for SEZs.
Information available with TOI reveals that allegations of procedural impropriety and blatant irregularities against the SEZs could well be true. These facts and many more irregularities have come to light following documents made available by the government under the Right To Information Act
The documents reveal that land was allotted to the companies even before the Goa SEZ policy was formulated.
Of the three notified SEZs, two—K Raheja Corp Private Limited and Meditab Specialities Pvt Ltd—had the blessings of then chief minister Pratapsingh Rane and industries minister Luizinho Faleiro.
“The said proposal has been forwarded to us by the industries minister with the approval of the chief minister with the direction to consider their proposal,” said the agenda note for GIDC’s March 28, 2006 board meeting regarding Meditab’s proposal.
Similarly, the agenda note for the April 19,2006 GIDC board meeting said, “The chief minister as well as the industries minister are in support of the above allotments (land for Raheja and others).”
The third SEZ, Peninsula Research & Development Centre, was “under formation” when GIDC reviewed their application and decided to allot land on March 28, 2006. Interestingly, in the April of that year, before the Goa SEZ policy came into existence, GIDC had already accepted applications from the three SEZs.
The irregularities continue. Two of the applications, those of Raheja and Peninsula, don’t have the company seal, nor an inward stamp of GIDC and just one eye witness, instead of two. This raises doubt over the date the applications were received by GIDC and whether the GIDC issued the mandatory seven day notice to call a board meeting.
The industries and labour department regulations clearly state that ‘the secretary shall give seven clear days notice of the ensuing meeting to each member of the corporation’.
Though GIDC in its agenda note for a meeting on February 7, 2006 proposed to revise the premium rate of plots in the industrial estates, it went easy on the three SEZs. This despite the fact that GIDC had decided that all new applications for plots and transfer of plots will be based on revised rates.
While the price of plots for the industrial units at Verna phase I, II and III was hiked to Rs 750, the SEZs in phase IV were charged only Rs 600. Further, while the rate of land at Sancoale industrial estate was hiked from Rs 125 to Rs 400, Peninsula was charged just Rs 250, as the ‘area proposed for allotment is sloppy and without proper access’. Meditab got its land at the cheapest possible price of just Rs 80 per sq m.
The documents also reveal that GIDC relaxed the land rates, reduced the 2% annual lease rent that it had unanimously decided to charge in industrial estates effective from April 1, 2006, to 0.5% for the three SEZs. The lease signed is for 30 years, with a provision to extend it to 95 years.
Further, though in the lease agreement with the three SEZs transfer of land was prohibited without GIDC consent, minutes of the GIDC meeting of April 19, 2006, reveal that the GIDC will not charge transfer fees, sub-lease or assignment charges from them. This would allow the SEZ developers to sub-lease or transfer the land to anyone at a price, without in turn paying the GIDC.
June 12, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
SEZ mess: How it all started
How Pratapsingh And Luizinho Pushed Deals And How Land Went As Cheap As Rs 80 Per Sq Metre
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: The Special Economic Zone Act was enacted by the Centre in June 2005, but the Goa government was exploring possibilities right from December 2004.
The first time that the government considered SEZs was on December 29, 2004, when under the chairmanship of then chief minister Manohar Parrikar a decision was taken at a Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) meeting to earmark land for a food park, a biotech park and an SEZ.
At a subsequent meeting on April 15, 2005 chaired by industries secretary Jayashree Raghuraman (Goa was then under Central rule), it was decided to “explore the possibility of setting up food park and SEZ at Keri and bio-tech park at Verna”.
It was two months later—June 23—that the Centre enacted the SEZ Act 2005 and another 12 months—June 5, 2006—before the Goa government came up with an SEZ policy. In the meantime, in March and April 2006 GIDC had already accepted applications from companies for SEZs.
Information available with TOI reveals that allegations of procedural impropriety and blatant irregularities against the SEZs could well be true. These facts and many more irregularities have come to light following documents made available by the government under the Right To Information Act
The documents reveal that land was allotted to the companies even before the Goa SEZ policy was formulated.
Of the three notified SEZs, two—K Raheja Corp Private Limited and Meditab Specialities Pvt Ltd—had the blessings of then chief minister Pratapsingh Rane and industries minister Luizinho Faleiro.
“The said proposal has been forwarded to us by the industries minister with the approval of the chief minister with the direction to consider their proposal,” said the agenda note for GIDC’s March 28, 2006 board meeting regarding Meditab’s proposal.
Similarly, the agenda note for the April 19,2006 GIDC board meeting said, “The chief minister as well as the industries minister are in support of the above allotments (land for Raheja and others).”
The third SEZ, Peninsula Research & Development Centre, was “under formation” when GIDC reviewed their application and decided to allot land on March 28, 2006. Interestingly, in the April of that year, before the Goa SEZ policy came into existence, GIDC had already accepted applications from the three SEZs.
The irregularities continue. Two of the applications, those of Raheja and Peninsula, don’t have the company seal, nor an inward stamp of GIDC and just one eye witness, instead of two. This raises doubt over the date the applications were received by GIDC and whether the GIDC issued the mandatory seven day notice to call a board meeting.
The industries and labour department regulations clearly state that ‘the secretary shall give seven clear days notice of the ensuing meeting to each member of the corporation’.
Though GIDC in its agenda note for a meeting on February 7, 2006 proposed to revise the premium rate of plots in the industrial estates, it went easy on the three SEZs. This despite the fact that GIDC had decided that all new applications for plots and transfer of plots will be based on revised rates.
While the price of plots for the industrial units at Verna phase I, II and III was hiked to Rs 750, the SEZs in phase IV were charged only Rs 600. Further, while the rate of land at Sancoale industrial estate was hiked from Rs 125 to Rs 400, Peninsula was charged just Rs 250, as the ‘area proposed for allotment is sloppy and without proper access’. Meditab got its land at the cheapest possible price of just Rs 80 per sq m.
The documents also reveal that GIDC relaxed the land rates, reduced the 2% annual lease rent that it had unanimously decided to charge in industrial estates effective from April 1, 2006, to 0.5% for the three SEZs. The lease signed is for 30 years, with a provision to extend it to 95 years.
Further, though in the lease agreement with the three SEZs transfer of land was prohibited without GIDC consent, minutes of the GIDC meeting of April 19, 2006, reveal that the GIDC will not charge transfer fees, sub-lease or assignment charges from them. This would allow the SEZ developers to sub-lease or transfer the land to anyone at a price, without in turn paying the GIDC.
June 12, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Desperate acts by Goa’s HIV+ve
Desperate acts by Goa’s HIV+ve
Patients Let Health Falter To Receive Financial Assistance From State
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: The tragedy is not that they are dying, but that they want to die so that they can live. Already living desultory lives, shunned by society and suffering terribly, many HIV positive individuals are prepared to get sicker, and all for just a thousand rupees.
Since the state finance minister announced Rs 1,000 a month to those put on antiretroviral treatment (ART), HIV positive persons are looking at this financial bonanza as a way out of their financial straits.
“HIV positive people are increasingly asking to be put on ART without understanding the complications linked with it. This is happening with speculation that the compensation of Rs 1000 will be only given to those on ART,” says Sofia, of the NGO Rishta working with HIV patients in North Goa.
Mahesh Govekar of Zindagi, an NGO which runs a drop-in centre for HIV/AIDS patients in South Goa, said, “Many HIV persons are desperate to get financial help as it fills them with a sense of security to fight social criticism. There
are several doubts in the minds of the HIV positive persons about the scheme. But once we counsel them, they tend to understand.”
Forty-five-yearold Charles, an HIV positive individual, is praying and working to ensure that the next time he goes for a blood test, his CD 4 count shows less than 200 (very low immunity) and that he is immediately put on ART.
“I need the money to run my home. If being HIV positive and healthy means being denied the Rs 1000 benefit, then it is better to be ill. At least I can be of some help to my family,” said Charles.
“I am happy to be on ART,” said Sheena from Calangute. “This means that I can give a better life to my three children, one of them
suffering from HIV.”
Goa State Aid Control Society deputy director Elmira Pereira said, “Every patient put on ART would be given Rs 1000 at the ART centre.” About 510 patients currently on ART will benefit from the scheme, which has upset some of the 10,000 odd persons living with HIV/AIDS. Under the scheme a person gets financial assistance of Rs 1000 per month in the first year which will increase at the rate of 5% annually.
But what these patients don’t realize is that they are playing with their lives, as a CD count of below 200 can be dangerous. Once a person is started on ART this treatment will have to be continued with always.
Doctors say that an HIV positive individual has to follow a strict diet regime and lead a healthy life to maintain his health. “If their CD 4 count goes below 200, there is destruction of immune cells and the body’s ability to fight infections decreases. Such patients are more susceptible to opportunistic infections and need to be put on ART to improve their immunity,” said Dr N G Dubhashi, head, department of medicine, Goa Medical College.
SCHEME & ASSISTANCE
No clarity in monthly help for HIV victims
Panaji: There is still no clarity on the monthly assistance of Rs 1,000 for HIV positive people promised by the finance minister in his budget speech three months back.
Speculation is rife amongst persons living with HIV, sometimes forcing them
to do the unthinkable.
Even NGOs are ignorant about the scheme. “I have no idea about the scheme. But I hope it extends to all HIV positive persons, to ensure that they lead a healthy life with dignity,” said Jaffar Inamdar of Positive Life Foundation, a drop in centre for HIV positives in North Goa.
Fatima from Chicalim has striven hard to hide her HIV status. Life has been hard for her. Her husband and son died of AIDS five years back and she has a 65-year-old sick mother to take care of. The two of them subsist on about Rs 600 a month. But now she is eager to reveal her status ‘on paper’.
Though the scheme is yet to be introduced, she has already obtained an income certificate from the village panchayat. “When the panchayat asked me to cite reasons for seeking the certificate, I disclosed my HIV status. This is extra financial help,” said Fatima.
(Some names changed to protect identity)
June11,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Patients Let Health Falter To Receive Financial Assistance From State
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: The tragedy is not that they are dying, but that they want to die so that they can live. Already living desultory lives, shunned by society and suffering terribly, many HIV positive individuals are prepared to get sicker, and all for just a thousand rupees.
Since the state finance minister announced Rs 1,000 a month to those put on antiretroviral treatment (ART), HIV positive persons are looking at this financial bonanza as a way out of their financial straits.
“HIV positive people are increasingly asking to be put on ART without understanding the complications linked with it. This is happening with speculation that the compensation of Rs 1000 will be only given to those on ART,” says Sofia, of the NGO Rishta working with HIV patients in North Goa.
Mahesh Govekar of Zindagi, an NGO which runs a drop-in centre for HIV/AIDS patients in South Goa, said, “Many HIV persons are desperate to get financial help as it fills them with a sense of security to fight social criticism. There
are several doubts in the minds of the HIV positive persons about the scheme. But once we counsel them, they tend to understand.”
Forty-five-yearold Charles, an HIV positive individual, is praying and working to ensure that the next time he goes for a blood test, his CD 4 count shows less than 200 (very low immunity) and that he is immediately put on ART.
“I need the money to run my home. If being HIV positive and healthy means being denied the Rs 1000 benefit, then it is better to be ill. At least I can be of some help to my family,” said Charles.
“I am happy to be on ART,” said Sheena from Calangute. “This means that I can give a better life to my three children, one of them
suffering from HIV.”
Goa State Aid Control Society deputy director Elmira Pereira said, “Every patient put on ART would be given Rs 1000 at the ART centre.” About 510 patients currently on ART will benefit from the scheme, which has upset some of the 10,000 odd persons living with HIV/AIDS. Under the scheme a person gets financial assistance of Rs 1000 per month in the first year which will increase at the rate of 5% annually.
But what these patients don’t realize is that they are playing with their lives, as a CD count of below 200 can be dangerous. Once a person is started on ART this treatment will have to be continued with always.
Doctors say that an HIV positive individual has to follow a strict diet regime and lead a healthy life to maintain his health. “If their CD 4 count goes below 200, there is destruction of immune cells and the body’s ability to fight infections decreases. Such patients are more susceptible to opportunistic infections and need to be put on ART to improve their immunity,” said Dr N G Dubhashi, head, department of medicine, Goa Medical College.
SCHEME & ASSISTANCE
No clarity in monthly help for HIV victims
Panaji: There is still no clarity on the monthly assistance of Rs 1,000 for HIV positive people promised by the finance minister in his budget speech three months back.
Speculation is rife amongst persons living with HIV, sometimes forcing them
to do the unthinkable.
Even NGOs are ignorant about the scheme. “I have no idea about the scheme. But I hope it extends to all HIV positive persons, to ensure that they lead a healthy life with dignity,” said Jaffar Inamdar of Positive Life Foundation, a drop in centre for HIV positives in North Goa.
Fatima from Chicalim has striven hard to hide her HIV status. Life has been hard for her. Her husband and son died of AIDS five years back and she has a 65-year-old sick mother to take care of. The two of them subsist on about Rs 600 a month. But now she is eager to reveal her status ‘on paper’.
Though the scheme is yet to be introduced, she has already obtained an income certificate from the village panchayat. “When the panchayat asked me to cite reasons for seeking the certificate, I disclosed my HIV status. This is extra financial help,” said Fatima.
(Some names changed to protect identity)
June11,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
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