The Hon. Sunil Handunnetti

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, the core issue is that after we establish and develop zones, custodianship is handed to Divisional Secretaries, who collect rents but bear no clear accountability for infrastructure or proper administration. We intend to bring zones directly under the Ministry and the Industrial Development Authority, which have responsibility for infrastructure and administration. We have also found cases where valuable plots have been sublet commercially—some at USD 5,000 per month—diverting revenue that should accrue to the State. Therefore, interim sub-leasing cannot be permitted unless under Ministry oversight and agreements with the Ministry. Going forward, we will regularize these through the Divisional Secretary only under proper procedures. I believe the clarifications I have provided address the Member’s concerns.