Murugesh Nirani rules out sale of land owned by KSDL

Alternatives being explored for the modernisation and expansion plans

 
“There is no question of selling the land. It will continue to belong to who it does,” Nirani told Deccan Herald on Saturday, disclosing that the ministry is in talks with various unions and the management to explore alternatives for the proposed modernisation and expansion plan of the KSDL.

Leasing for SEZ

It is learnt that 32 acres out the 37 acres owned by KSDL is proposed to be leased out to an IT/ITES Special Economic Zone for about 30 years, while the company will make use of the remaining five acres for production necessities.

This plan is said to be proposed by various trade unions - All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) and Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) in an attempt to avoid land sale.

The KSDL Managing Director had sometime last year proposed to sell off the land to fund modernisation and expansion of the company by availing land in Dobbspet.

However, the proposal had invited strong opposition from the labourers.

It is now learnt that the labourers and the management have come to a consensus over leasing out the land, instead of selling.

The unions, in a letter addressed to the minister have proposed that the land under all circumstances must remain in the company’s name and that it can earn revenue by leasing it.

Special project report

Nirani, further revealed that a special project report is being prepared for modernisation
and expansion plans of the company and that about 20 acres of land might be made available for the purpose.