Keri Gramsabha confirms solidarity against SEZ

On April 27, 2008, citizens of Keri-Ponda on Sunday passed a resolution requesting the central government to de-notify Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at Bhoothkhamb-Keri and to request the Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) to hand over the land allotted to Meditab to the Keri panchayat.

The gramsabha also resolved to demand the amendment to the Goa Industrial Development Act and delete the provisions enabling the GIDC to notify land anywhere as an industrial estate without the consent of the local panchayat. They also passed a resolution to delete provisions taking away powers of panchayat to issue licenses for construction and to collect taxes in respect of lands and building included in industrial estates.

The residents decided that all future proposed projects in Keri village should be discussed in the Gram Sabha. People have understood the nature of SEZs. We will allow industries in the village only if people want them. In future, a special gram sabha will be held to discuss any new project coming up in the area, said Sarpanch Sitaram Gaude.

It may be recalled that on October 2, 2007, villagers had passed a resolution opposing SEZ at Bhootkhamb and a series of movements were launched against the SEZ. Keri Village Nagrik Sammittee headed by Dr Vedesh Jalmi was formed. Various awareness programs were organized, informing the villagers about the SEZs. The state government had however decided to denotify SEZ due to mounting protests all the state.

Following criticisms from the villagers, Panchayat Secretary Somnath Tari apologized for recording a resolution during the previous Gram Sabha without the consent of the sarpanch.Priol MLA Deepak Dhavlikar was also criticized for his indifferent attitude in the movement against SEZ at Keri.

SVM shares and connects to a larger solidarity

Over the past few months SVM has been attending various seminars and meetings all over the country in a larger solidarity against SEZs.

29 January 2008: Allan Faleiro makes presentation at Seminar organised at Cuncolim

24-25 February 2008: Pravin Sabnis attends 2-day seminar on NATIONAL CONSULTATION CRTITIQUING THE CURRENT JUDICIAL TRENDS ON ENVIRONMENT LAW

26th and 27th of Feb 2008: Ramkrishna Jhalmi and Br. Orville attend 2-day seminar at St. Aloysius College. Mangalore

5 march 2008: Charles Fernandes, Franky Monteiro, Peter Gama, Fr Simon Fernandes, Louisa Pewreira and Pravin Sabnis extend SVM solidarity at the INFORMATION & CONSULTATION MEETING on SEZ and Farmers Rights Assertion, at Mangalore followed by a public meeting in the evening

9 March 2008: Pravin Sabnis extends SVM solidarity with Andhra groups at Seminar organised by Human Rights Forum in Hyderabad

10 March 2008: Pravin Sabnis extends SVM solidarity with the Gorai activists at a seminar by the Justice and Peace Comission at Goregaon, Mumbai.

25-26 April 2008: Swati Kerkar, Ramkrishna Jhalmi, Fr Simon Fernandes and Pravin Sabnis participated in the Western consultation on SEZs organised by NCAS at Pune.