Panel on SIDCUL given 3-month extension

Three months after it was set up, the Uttarakhand government has given three month extension to the Arvind Varma Commission probing alleged irregularities in the functioning of State Industrial Development Corporation of Uttarakhand Ltd (SIDCUL), the nodal agency for the implementation of industrialisation process.

Confirming the extension, a top government official said Chief Minister B C Khanduri had conveyed to the Commission in clear terms that no other extension would be given and that all the investigations should be completed within three months' time.

The commission, which was set up on May 28, would be probing the matters relating to the process followed in allotments in the light of standards specified by the SIDCUL Board and the government from time to time.

The commission would also probe the irregularities in the allotment of land at Sitarganj, where a private company is developing an industrial estate, or any other irregularities that come into its knowledge.

In the month of July, a public notice was served stating that any person who wishes to provide any information regarding the alleged irregularities in SIDCUL could appear before the commission. But so far, no one had appeared before the commission, official sources said.

A series of media reports had alleged that the company developing Sitarganj estate had "grabbed" government land worth crores of rupees. The commission is also probing this aspect.

SIDCUL and government officials have also recently come under fire for allegedly providing NOCs to some of the pharma companies that cannot establish their units in Dehradun under the norms of the Doon Valley Notification that prohibits setting up of any industry under red in the state capital.

Meanwhile, separate space had been allotted to the commission in the secretariat where it has started its work.

The sources said the commission may soon summon some of the former officials of SIDCUL in connection with the investigation process.

SIDCUL has so far developed two key industrial estates at Pant Nagar and Haridwar, where the country's top notch companies have set up units, including Bajaj Auto, Tata Motors, Hero Honda, Nestle and Dabur, while it is developing Sitarganj in partnership with a private firm.