HC stays notices of GIDC on SEZ land allotment issue

Panaji, Jul 24 (UNI) The Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court today granted an interim stay on showcause notices issued by the Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) to three SEZ developers, asking them why the land allotted to them should not be reverted.

The court also posted the matter for a hearing along with other petitions to September 8.

Three SEZ promoters - Inox Merchantile Company Private Limited, Peninsula Pharma Research Centre Private Limited and Planet View Merchantile Company Private Limited -- had approached the High Court challenging the GIDC June 13 notices prohibiting them from carrying out any construction work.

The GIDC also sought to know why the land lease granted to them for setting up of Special Economic Zones (SEZ) admeasuring 5,19,832 sq m at Verna Industrial Estate, should not be revoked and the land reverted.

So far, five SEZ developers have approached the Court challenging the GIDC decision to revert the land allotted them. The other two are: M/s Meditab Specialities Private Limited and M/s K Raheja Corporation Limited, both notified SEZs.

Interestingly, Swati Kerkar, Lawrence Fernandes and Franky Monteiro had, on July 9, filed separate writ petitions in the Court challenging the allotment of 35 lakh sq m of land on lease at Bhutkhamb-Keri, Sancoale and Verna respectively to the SEZ developers.

UNI BM RL KN2327