20 years on, plot allotments in special industrial zone awaited

Bijendra Ahlawat
Tribune News Service
Faridabad, August 3
Even after two decades, 52 applicants continue to wait for the allotment of industrial plots in the zone meant for electroplating and dyeing units. The delay in allotment has not only impacted the promotion of industry, but also added to pollution as units were forced to operate from unauthorised areas in the city.

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Delay despite available plots
The authorities have failed to make allotments despite the availability of plots and the completion of formalities. Several lakh rupees were collected as booking amount, yet applicants have been facing harassment and losses in terms of their business. — Ravinder Vashist, one of the applicants

“Despite the completion of formalities, including the deposition of the 10 per cent of the booking amount, about 20 years ago, the state government has failed to allot the majority of the plots carved out in the zone meant for electroplating units in Sector 58 here,” said Ravinder Vashist, one of the applicants.
He claimed that the authorities have failed to make allotments in two decades despite the availability of plots. Around 175 of the 250 plots carved out in the sector remain vacant. Several lakh rupees were collected as booking amount, yet applicants, who have been waiting since 2004, have been facing harassment and losses, he added.
“More than 200 units working in the unauthorised areas had been ordered to close their operations and were asked to shift in the special or designated zone on the directions of the Supreme Court in the wake of pollution caused by the discharge of untreated industrial and chemical waste,” said Rahul Chauhan, another applicant.
He said the sector was the only authorised area for electroplating and dyeing units as infrastructure like the Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) is available to treat the released waste.
“The delay has also forced a large number of such units to operate in non-conforming areas, which, in turn has led to acute pollution,” said Narender Sirohi, who has raised several complaints in the past.
“As the files of applications have already been transferred to the Haryana State Industrial & Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC) from the HSVP (HUDA) office, the matter remains unresolved despite directions issued at various occasions,” said Sanjiv Aggarwal, an entrepreneur.
While the sizes of the plots that had been carved ranged between 100 and 400 square metres, the rate of allotment fixed at that time had been Rs 2,500 per square metre, it was revealed.
Although the then CM Manohar Lal Khattar and the present head of the district grievances committee for allotment had passed the orders, no relief had come so far, Vashist claimed. He said the vacant plots have become a hot spot for encroachments, dumping of garbage and loss of revenue to the state government.
Vijay Godara, Estate Manager, HSIIDC here, said the matter was under consideration of the head office and directions in this regard were awaited.