
SURAT, May 6: A number of issues related to sales tax, subsidy, GIDC, sick units, electricity connection and power tariff were discussed at an open house organised by the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry here on Thursday. Presided over by Industry Minister Suresh Mehta, the session attracted 126 written questions from industrialists.
However, some industrialists, who saw the house as an opportunity to get their problems solved on-the-spot, expressed disappointment saying it was an exercise in futility.
Ghiwala has claimed that GIDC officials in the last open house had promised that he would be given another plot in 15 days. However, Saxena said, 8220;If we had failed to allot a plot within six months, we would have refunded the deposit.8221;
Another complainant, Jitubhai Vakharia, a representative of the Pandesara Industrial Co-operation Society, wanted GIDC to hand over its water distribution facilities to the Surat Municipal Corporation so that Pandesara industrial units get uninterrupted water supply and would not be depended on tankers. Vakharia also demanded that GIDC allow the industrial association to manage the ESI hospital. 8220;We can employ a qualified doctor so that workers get good medical services. The association is ready to bear the expenses,8221; he said.
Among others, Union Textiles Minister Kashiram Rana, State Law Minister Hemant Chaptwala, Municipal Commissioner S Jagadeesan, District Collector Sangeeta Singh, and SGCCI president were present.