Panaji: The state-run Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) has not diverted or reappropriated funds received under the ASIDE scheme or any other Central scheme for purposes other than those for which they were sanctioned, the state government told the Goa Legislative Assembly on Monday.
Industries, Trade and Commerce Minister Mauvin Godinho provided the information in a written reply to an unstarred question tabled by AAP MLA Venzy Viegas during the ongoing monsoon session.
The government said that no funds received by the GIDC under the ASIDE (Assistance to States for Infrastructure Development of Exports) scheme or any other Central scheme had been reappropriated, diverted or utilised for purposes other than those originally sanctioned from January 1, 2022, to date.
In response to a query on whether the Centre had raised any audit objection, recovery notice, demand for refund or penalty concerning such funds, the government said that audit observations and replies to audit paras had been provided in an annexure.
The government also clarified that the GIDC had not waived or reduced transfer fees on the transfer of industrial plots since January 1, 2022.
It said that prior to the notification of the Goa Industrial Development Corporation (Allotment, Transfer and Sub-Lease) Regulations, 2023, transfer fees were levied under the regulations then in force.
The 2023 Regulations were notified on December 7, 2023, under Section 51 of the Goa Industrial Development Act, 1965, after prior approval from the state government.
The regulations were approved by the GIDC Board through Resolution No. 28/2023 at its 386th meeting.
Under the new regulations, the earlier provision for levying transfer fees was removed as part of a regulatory reform measure, the government said.
“There has been no waiver or reduction of transfer fees in individual cases; rather, the levy itself was discontinued prospectively through an amendment to the regulatory framework,” it said.
The government further said that no internal audit, Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audit, or Finance Department observation had been recorded since January 1, 2022, regarding financial management, diversion of funds or the plot transfer policy of the GIDC.
It also said that no administrative action had been initiated against any GIDC officer or authority pursuant to audit observations or communications from the Central government during the period.
