Medha Patkar's message to Goans

Statement from Ms. Medha Patkar against SEZs in Goa

Throughout India the anti-people policies of the Government have caused enormous pain and suffering to the common masses. Under the name of development massive injustices are being inflicted on the people, and policies are being forcefully implemented without concern for the people’s opinion and interest. The Nandigram events have exposed the fact that from right to left, all the political parties are against people. They use their army, both their party cadres and police to instill fear in the minds of people and suppress any voices of dissension, and take away land and resources.

SEZs are being projected upon as the new ‘avatars’ of development that will alleviate poverty and under development. All the political parties and some elite sections of the society seem to be so convinced of this development strategy that they have unanimously passed resolutions in support of SEZs. The official justification put forth in support of SEZ viz, increase in growth, investment, employment, export and infrastructure has been repeatedly disproved. Instead, of an increase in employment, there has been a decline, we import more than we export. In fact, SEZs has increased displacement, migration, loss of jobs, and destroyed shared growth. This massive ‘land loot’ across the country has generated much controversy and apprehension, giving rise to strong public outcry and militant protests.

These disquieting circumstances have not deterred the government of Goa in implementing and imposing the SEZ policy on the people of Goa violating all natural and human rights of the people. It is incomprehensible that 18 SEZs are being planned for a small state like Goa which has limited land holding.

I express my solidarity and support to the people of Goa who have come together under the banner of SEZ Virodhi Manch. It is the movements like this which act as a forum for peoples concern and keep our democracy active. So let us persevere and continue the relentless battle against these anti-people policies. Let this struggle reach out to all sections of people so that its demands become shared by all. Let this movement defeat the loot of people’s livelihood.

- Medha Patkar