Allotment of gem park land cleared

The state government has given its final approval for allotment of land at Ichhapore to Gujarat Hira Bourse for developing a gem and jewellery park, Hira Bourse joint secretary Pravin Nanavati said.

A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the Bourse representatives with the chief minister Narendra Modi and others in Gandhinagar on Tuesday.

Nanavati said, "We met Modi, industries minister Anil Patel, energy minister Saurabh Patel, chief secretary P K Laheri and Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation chairman Hari Patel. During the meeting, a formal decision was taken to allot 20 lakh sq mt of land to us for developing the jewellery park."

"We are purchasing the land at Rs 225 per sq mt. So we have to pay a total Rs 45 crore. We will deposit Rs 15 crore with the government by the next week, while the remaining Rs 30 crore will be paid in two instalments over the next three months," said Nanavati.

"As soon as the first instalment of Rs 15 crore is paid to the government, we will start the basic works such as cleaning up the area and building a boundary wall. The procedure for transfer of ownership of land to Gujarat Hira Bourse will be initiated once we have paid the entire amount to the government," said Nanavati.

Asked about farmers opposing the land sale, Nanavati said, "We have nothing to do about protests of farmers. The state government has assured us that we would be given clear possession of the land once we have paid the money. It is the state government that has to deal with the farmers, not us."

The proposed gem and jewellery park at Ichhapore is an ambitious project of Gujarat Hira Bourse. Around 500 units will be set up at the jewellery park. The jewellery park is expected to give a major boost to the local diamond industry.

Local farmers are, however, protesting against sale of land to Gujarat Hira Bourse. The farmers are claiming that the land was placed under reservation by the state government 18 years back against their wishes and since it has not been utilised for any other purpose, it should be returned to them.

The farmers have also slapped legal notices on the chief minister, Union environment minister, Union agriculture minister and several others, stating that the land in Ichhapore falls under the coastal regulation zone (CRZ) and hence any construction activity could not be allowed on it.

The farmers have also threatened to approach the Gujarat High Court if the land is not returned to them. Tuesday's meeting was also attended by Hira Bourse chairman Chandrakant Sanghvi and Surat Diamond Association president Nanu Vanani.