Don’t take Goans for a ride, promoters warned

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, JUNE 26 — SEZ Virodhi Manch on Thursday warned SEZ promoters not to take Goans for a ride by going to court to get what the people have long back rejected. Addressing a press conference today evening, Aravind Bhatikar of Nitoll Jin Trust, in a terse message asserted, “The State Government should follow proper procedures and not allow any leeway to the SEZ promoters by eating humble pie in the court.”

Not happy with the latest move to issue stop work order to some of the SEZ promoters, SVM Convenor Charles Fernandes said, “This action shows the Government is not functioning in the interests of the people. Its true intentions not to respect the genuine struggle of the people have been exposed.”

Fernandes chided further, “On one hand the Government has announced scrapping of the zones, issued stop work orders to the notified SEZs, approached the Board of Approval at Delhi for the purpose of de-notifying the notified SEZs and on the other hand the GIDC is continuing to approve construction plans of notified SEZS.” The SVM convenor showed one such copy of an approval given by GIDC dated April 15, 2008 to the press persons. “It is beyond the jurisdiction of the GIDC to grant such approvals and secondly no environment impact assessment is done before the plans are approved,” he maintained.

SVM has now decided to hold a meeting on Sunday, June 29, at the Grace Church Hall in Margao at 10 am to discuss the future course of action. “We will reveal our plan of action on this day. Today I only want to say that SEZ promoters and Government people of Goa will not everything lying down,” Bhatikar avowed. Council for Social Justice and Peace General Secretary Fr Maverick Fernandes and Peter Gama of Verna were also present at the briefing.

national meet on CZM

At a national meeting on CZM, Pravin Sabnis speaking about the learnings from the SVM agitation against SEZs in Goa.

Rahe? Ja!

The acts of omission and commission by
the CM, Govt, GIDC & Advocate General
in facilitating the fraud of SEZs
will not go unchecked.
They will have to face the fury
of the peoples' wrath.

The SEZ Virodhi Manch met today evening

to decide future course of action.

SVM press conference at Caritas, Panaji
6pm, on 26 June 2008, Thursday.

SVM calls on all Goans
to join the solidarity against SEZs
at a PUBLIC MEETING at Margao
10.30 am, on 29 June 2008, Sunday

Amka naka SEZ, amka zai PEZ

Govt decides to withdraw SEZ stop work order
HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, JUNE 25 – The State Government had to eat a humble pie and withdraw ‘stop work orders’ issued against the two major Special Economic Zones (SEZ) stakeholders on Wednesday when it failed to justify its stand in terms of law. Raheja Corporation Pvt Ltd and Peninsula Pharma Research Center Pvt Ltd had challenged the stop work order issued by the State Government on January 10, 2008. It was issued pending decision of Government of India on State’s request for de-notification of three notified SEZs.

When the matter came up for hearing today morning, the Counsel for the State Government Adv Ranjeet Kumar could not satisfy the Court why the stop work order was issued without petitioners being granted any hearing.Adv Kumar told the Court that the order was issued in view of the policy decision of the State Government to do away with SEZs in public interest. However, a Division Bench headed by Justice S A Bobde pointed out that, “the court is not concerned with policy decision taken in view of public of interest” and indicated that stop work orders issued against petitioners holds no water (Continued on page 10)when seen in light of decision of the Central government, wherein it refused to grant the request of the State Government. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry in its letter dated May 12, 2008 intimated the State Government that it would not be possible to withdraw the notifications.

The letter said, “The developers have already made investment and the issue of compensation of investment made to the developers as well as refund of fiscal benefits would also arise. It has therefore, been decided that it would not be possible for Central government to withdraw the notifications declaring them as SEZs.”The Counsel for Raheja Corporation Pvt Ltd, Adv Ravi Kadam contended that the State Government had no powers to give stop work order, which was issued without giving the petitioner any chance to present its case. In view of this, the State Government had no option but to withdraw the stop work order when the Court categorically pointed out that the State Government vis-à-vis Central government’s decision not to denotify the three SEZs.

The State Counsel Adv Kumar made a statement to the effect before the Division Bench and the two petitions were disposed off. This means the State Government will have to now issue show cause notices to the petitioners and hear them before it issues any stop work orders.

‘No compensation for SEZ promoters’

BY HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, JUNE 20 – The SEZ Virodhi Manch has reiterated that no compensation whatsoever should be paid by the government to the SEZ promoters, saying the Board of approvals have violated SEZ rules in hastily approving the notifying the SEZ.
Welcoming the government decision of revoking the land allotted for SEZ purpose by the GIDC and claiming it to be a victory of the people, the Manch prayed that there is no hidden agenda in the decision and that the government stays with the people in the same manner till the land is finally revoked officially and the three notified SEZs are denotified.
Referring to an article carried in a section of the press saying that scrapping of SEZs would cost the government Rs 500 crores, the Manch said it was illegal for the Board of Approvals to grant approval and notify the three SEZs when the said land was not owned by the SEZ promoters, but only leased.“The SEZ rules mandates that SEZ promoters should be the owners of the land. Further, the SEZ rules states that land should be purchased from private owners for setting up of SEZ and not from land acquired by the government. Moreover, the land was acquired for the industrial estate”, stated Manch Convenor, Charles Fernandes, while addressing a press conference in the city here on Friday.
Convenor of Council for Social Justice and Peace, Fr Maverick Fernandes, Pravin Sabnis, Franky Monteiro, Peter Gama were present at the briefing.
Fernandes said the Manch strongly demands the capping of all the bore wells by the administration and initiation of strong action against the erring units. “The illegal drawing of groundwater has severely depleted the water table in all the surrounding areas”, he said, while demanding that all machines used for sinking bore wells must be banned from entering the industrial estate. “The village Panchayats must be permitted to carry surprise inspections in any unit for checking on illegal bore wells”, he added.

SVM demands CBI probe into SEZs
NT NETWORK -MARGAO
The SEZ Virodhi Manch demanded revocation of the June 2006 SEZ policy and a CBI inquiry against the "fraud" of SEZs in Goa. They also demanded that an FIR be lodged against the frauds of the GIDC.
They further demanded that the Goa Industries Act 1985 be amended and the deletion of the provisions that take away the powers of the panchayats and the returning of the lands to the original owners.
Meanwhile, Mr Pravin Sabnis of the Goa Bachao Andolan brought to light the wrong that has been done to the villagers by the industries in Verna and the GIDC. Springs that used to be evergreen all year round have dried up and are seen down to a trickle even in the monsoons due to the rampant setting up of borewells.
The SVM has demanded the capping of all the bore wells by the administration and also strict action against the violating units. The SVM also demanded that heavy machinery used to sink borewells be banned from entering the industrial estate.

Smile? Sure... Celebrate? Not Yet!!!

The growing public pressure has forced the Government to instruct the GIDC to revoke land allotment to seven SEZs, including three notified ones. It is necesarry to read the fine print before jumping the gun and celebrating. Nevertheless, we surely deserve to smile.

The credit for wahatever steps are being taken to uproot the scam of SEZs goes to first Franky Monteiro, Allan Faleiro and others who dug up the real fraud of approval of SEZ applications and land allotments. The brave proactive villagers of Keri, Verna, Loutolim, Sancoale, Betul and elsewhere showed exceptional determination and resolve to save their villages. The awakened Goans gave prompt solidarity to force the hand of the Government. The print as well as electronic media gave great support at all times.

BUT while we can smile, we need to hold on before we celebrate.

The Government must bring to book those guilty of the SEZ scams. No leniency must be permitted lest the SEZ developers find scope for intervening through the courts. Instead of entertartaining any compensation claims of the developers, the Govt must force the scamsters (both SEZ developers and those in the adminstration who facilitated the fraud) to compensate the affected villagers. And most importantly, since it is proved by the actions of the GIDC that it does not require land for industrial purposes, it must return the land back to the village. Lastly, the Industrial areas have to be brought back under the control of the panchayats which are now under scrutiny by the main stakeholders - the citizens of that village.

When all that happens, we can truly say
cheers
- Pravin

Check out http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080053086&ch=6/15/2008%209:03:00%20AM

Decision to revoke land to SEZs - what next?

Goa govt decides to revoke land allotments to seven SEZs
Friday, 13 June , 2008, 23:15
Panaji: Creating further difficulty for the Special Economic Zone promoters, Goa government-run Industrial Development Corporation today decided to revoke land allotment to seven SEZs, including three notified ones.
The IDC board of directors, which met today, stamped on the decision to revoke the lands allotments, which will further trouble the SEZ promoters who are facing difficult times in the state. Digamber Kamat-led government has already declared its intention not to have any SEZ in the state and has moved to the Union Commerce Ministry to denotify the three SEZs while scrapping the rest.
Of the total 15 SEZs, seven – including three notified – were allotted land by the State-run IDC at its Verna, Sancoale industrial estates and Bhootkhamb plateau in north Goa's Keri village. IDC's move has come as a final nail in the coffins of SEZ projects here which are already fighting legal battle against State government's stop work orders.
"We took the resolution adhering to the State government's policy of no SEZs. It was a government directive to take such decision," IDC chairman Chandrakant Kavlekar told PTI afterthe meeting. He said that earlier Pratapsingh Rane led government was in favour ofSEZs and hence IDC had allotted land to these industrial enclaves inthe state.The IDC has issued notices to all the seven SEZ promoters.
-------------------------------------------------
The above is good news. Now the Government should prosecute the scamsters and those guilty of the SEZ scams should be brought to book. Otherwise the SEZ developers will fight their way back on the pretext of arbitrariness or something like that. If any compensations are found to be owing to anyone, they should come from the pockets of the scamsters including successive politicians right and centre.
Also, will the Government make a categoric announcement that its policy of no SEZs means that its earlier SEZ policy stands scrapped. Also, as a logical consequence, will the IT Policies and theBio-technology policies which enable the Government to consider ITParks and bio-tech parks as "deemed SEZs" be revamped?
If this is not done, then it's mere hogwash
- Albertina Almeida

More of the SEZ mess in Goa

Unauthorised meet okayed land
13 Jun 2008, 0243 hrs IST, Preetu Nair,TNN

Not only did the Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) act in haste to allot plots to the K Raheja Corp Pvt Ltd for an SEZ, but they increased the floor area ratio (FAR) on par with the IT habitat at Dona Paula and even sacrificed plans of setting up a government SEZ to allot 300 acres to Meditab Specialities Pvt Ltd. In addition, though the still 'under formation' Peninsula Research & Development Centre, Sancoale, had applied for Export Processing Zone status, SEZ status was conferred. The reason: the 'government feels it could be an SEZ'.
The list of irregularities goes on. Documents acquired by anti-SEZ activists under RTI reveal that allotment of land to Raheja's was done at the GIDC board meeting on April 19, 2006, attended by only four members— GIDC chairman Chandrakant Kavlekar, MLA Aleixo Sequeira, Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Nitin Kunkolienkar and Managing director A V Palekar. Other board members, including the director of industries were absent.
A possible explanation for their absence is that they received the notice of the meeting at the time when the meeting was already in progress. Three board members — secretary industries, director industries and chief electrical engineer—acknowledged receipt of the notice with signatures on April 19, 2006 at around 5 pm, an hour after the scheduled start of the meeting. Going by the industries and labour department regulations this meeting should not have taken place as there was no quorum. The regulations state: 'four members present will form a quorum provided that at least one of the members nominated under section 4 (1) (d) (in this case industries director) of the Goa, Daman and Diu Industrial Development Act, 1965, other than the chairman is present'.

messages of Solidarity

As SEZ Virodhi Manch intensifies its resistance against the fradulent SEZs,
messasges of solidarity are coming from all over India.

Dear Friends
This is to tell you that I am in solidarity with you in your struggle against the SEZs. Some years ago I did a study of all displacement by development projects in Goa, 1965-1995 and later tried to update it. Unfortunately I am still searching for a commercial publisher to publish it. I could see that in 30 years 3.5 percent of all landmass in Goa was acquired for these projects and that in one decade 7.2 percent more would be taken over. These projects show that the trend was clear.
With best wishes
Walter Fernandes

SEZ mess: How it all started

12 Jun 2008, 0232 hrs IST, Preetu Nair, TOI

PANAJI: The Special Economic Zone Act was enacted by the Centre in June 2005, but the Goa government was exploring possibilities right from December 2004. The first time that the government considered SEZs was on December 29, 2004, when under the chairmanship of then chief minister Manohar Parrikar a decision was taken at a Goa Industrial Development Corparation (GIDC) meeting to earmark land for a food park, a biotech park and an SEZ. At a subsequent meeting on April 15, 2005 chaired by industries secretary Jayashree Raghuraman (Goa was then under Central rule), it was decided to "explore the possibility of setting up food park and SEZ at Keri and bio-tech park at Verna".

It was two months later—June 23—that the Centre enacted the SEZ Act 2005 and another 12 months—June 5, 2006—before the Goa government came up with an SEZ policy. In the meantime, in March and April 2006 GIDC had already accepted applications from companies for SEZs. Information available with TOI reveals that allegations of procedural impropriety and blatant irregularities against the SEZs could well be true. These facts and many more irregularities have come to light following documents made available by the government under the Right To Information Act. The documents reveal that land was allotted to the companies even before the Goa SEZ policy was formulated. Of the three notified SEZs, two—K Raheja Corp Private Limited and Meditab Specialities Pvt Ltd—had the blessings of then chief minister Pratapsingh Rane and industries minister Luizinho Faleiro.

"The said proposal has been forwarded to us by the industries minister with the approval of the chief minister with the direction to consider their proposal," said the agenda note for GIDC's March 28, 2006 board meeting regarding Meditab's proposal. Similarly, the agenda note for the April 19,2006 GIDC board meeting said, "The chief minister as well as the industries minister are in support of the above allotments (land for Raheja and others)." The third SEZ, Peninsula Research & Development Centre, was "under formation" when GIDC reviewed their application and decided to allot land on March 28, 2006. Interestingly, in the April of that year, before the Goa SEZ policy came into existence, GIDC had already accepted applications from the three SEZs.

The irregularities continue. Two of the applications, those of Raheja and Peninsula, don't have the company seal, nor an inward stamp of GIDC and just one eye witness, instead of two. This raises doubt over the date the applications were received by GIDC and whether the GIDC issued the mandatory seven day notice to call a board meeting. The industries and labour department regulations clearly state that ‘the secretary shall give seven clear days notice of the ensuing meeting to each member of the corporation'.

Though GIDC in its agenda note for a meeting on February 7, 2006 proposed to revise the premium rate of plots in the industrial estates, it went easy on the three SEZs. This despite the fact that GIDC had decided that all new applications for plots and transfer of plots will be based on revised rates. While the price of plots for the industrial units at Verna phase I, II and III was hiked to Rs 750, the SEZs in phase IV were charged only Rs 600. Further, while the rate of land at Sancoale industrial estate was hiked from Rs 125 to Rs 400, Peninsula was charged just Rs 250, as the ‘area proposed for allotment is sloppy and without proper access'. Meditab got their land at the cheapest possible price of just Rs 80 per sq m.

The documents also reveal that GIDC relaxed the land rates, reduced the 2% annual lease rent that it had unanimously decided to charge in industrial estates effective from April 1, 2006, to 0.5% for the three SEZs. The lease signed is for 30 years, with a provision to extend it to 95 years. Further, though in the lease agreement with the three SEZs transfer of land was prohibited without GIDC consent, minutes of the GIDC meeting of April 19, 2006, reveal that the GIDC will not charge transfer fees, sub-lease or assignment charges from them. This would allow the SEZ developers to sub-lease or transfer the land to anyone at a price, without in turn paying the GIDC.

Goa villagers raise objections for 'god's sake' against SEZ

Tuesday June 10 2008 00:00 IST PTI

KERI: While special economic zones meet with opposition for various reasons across the country, Cipla's pharma SEZ in North Goa's Keri village is garnering objection for “god's sake”. “For the first time since time immemorial, we could not perform our annual religious worship ritual at this place due to the SEZ,” Ramakrishna Jhalmi, a local youth, who is spearheading anti-SEZ agitation told PTI.

Bhootkhamb plateau, a 12 lakh sq metres area, atop Keri village, is the place where people from twelve different sects perform their annual ritual of worshipping their ancestors during the month of February every year, he said.

Cipla has planned a 304 acres pharma SEZ, Meditab specialities Pvt Ltd's, at this plateau, which has already been approved and notified by the central government.It is amongst the three SEZs, which are hanging fire, after state government's stop work order.

“The ritual has been going unabated for ages. For the first time, we could not enter the place as it has been given for the industrial enclave,” 60-year-old Vinayak Jhalmi said.“A huge compound wall has been erected and security guards forbid people from entering in,” Jhalmi said. The 12 sects -- Jhalmi, Parpati, Gurav, Kolshekar, Gobrakhanekar, Mhalo, Mhar, Gawada, Satarkar, Devli, Chari and Dhanagar -- have a unique tradition of getting together at this place on the plateau and offer ‘khichadi’ (hotpotch) near the banayan tree located here during Paush month of Hindu calender.

“These traditions are integral part of our culture,” Raja Naik, another villager said. The villagers in their letter to the Chief Minister Digamber Kamat had briefed him about the issue. “But nothing happened. Twice we sought to meet him personally to explain him about the problem,” Jhalmi said. The villagers, who had opposed tooth and nail Thapar Du Pon's nylon project at the same place in 1995 by launching a massive agitation, have once again raised their banner against Cipla's industrial enclave.“Even during nylon projects, we could perform our rituals. It's getting tough with the SEZ,” Ramakrishna Jhalmi said.

The villagers are opposing the SEZ as they fear that the project will affect their water resources as all the five villages surrounding this plateau depend on farming for their livelihood.

No playing ball, please.

No playing ball, please. We have enough grounds to say so

- SEZwatch convenor, Albertina Almeida punctures Govt stance on SEZs

The below news item indicates a classic case of playing ball. The CentralGovernment can denotify the SEZs using the General Clauses Act and the Goa Government has to repeal its SEZ, IT, Biotechnology policies, register cases in regard to the SEZ related scams as the facts are well within theirknowledge. Period.

As far as the lease cancellation is concerned, the particular parties can continue to have the land if they put it to industrial purposes which is what GIDC had in the first place acquired the land for. If the parties don't want to put it to industrial purpose or the villagers of those villages want the land not to be put for industrialpurposes, then the land should be handed over to the appropriate authorityfor restoring it to the uses that the land was once put. But this is anissue entirely separate from the denotification as the land was anyway leased to these developers for SEZs even before the SEZs were applied for by them

THE NEWS ITEM:

Sun Jun 8 04:44:54 PDT 2008 Goa govt isn't closing down SEZs, says commerce secy8 Jun, 2008, 0206 hrs IST,Shantanu Nandan Sharma, TNNNEW DELHI: The Goa government, which mounted pressure on the Centre tocancel all Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in the state, has not taken anyinitiative to close down those estates and compensate thedevelopers< http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Economy/Goa_govt_isnt_closing_down_SEZs_says_commerce_secy/articleshow/3110248.cms# >inthe last six months, commerce ministry officials said.Three developers of formally approved SEZs, who acquired 101 hectares ofland from government-owned Goa industrial development corporation (GIDC),are at a loss whether the stategovernment< http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Economy/Goa_govt_isnt_closing_down_SEZs_says_commerce_secy/articleshow/3110248.cms# >wouldtake back those land and suitably compensate them, sources toldSundayET.The ministry of commerce which cancelled four approved SEZs at the requestof the Goa government, has refused to cancel three notified SEZs as the SEZAct has no provisions to de-notify any SEZ. The ministry, however, did notprocess 12 otherapplications< http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Economy/Goa_govt_isnt_closing_down_SEZs_says_commerce_secy/articleshow/3110248.cms# >whichalso sought to develop SEZs in the state.When contacted, commerce secretary G K Pillai said: "During the last sixmonths or so, the Goa government has not taken any step to close down theSEZs. We are told that they have even asked for this year's lease rent ofland from some developers. As the state government has not done anypaperwork, some developers have recently received environmental clearance too," Mr Pillai said.The Goa government requested the Centre to scrap all SEZs in the state afterthe state had witnessed massive protests in December last year. Theprotestors were arguing that the SEZs would give an outlet for outsiders tograb land and reap financial benefits.Whereas Panchbhoomiinfrastructure< http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Economy/Goa_govt_isnt_closing_down_SEZs_says_commerce_secy/articleshow/3110248.cms# >,one of the four formally approved SEZs, purchased land from private owners,the other three — Paradigm logistics & distribution, Planetview mercantilecompany and Inox Mercantile company — were given land by the Goa industrialdevelopment corporation."Some of the developers acquired land from GIDC way back in 2001. These werelying vacant for years now, and it's a complete waste of resources. Thegovernment of Goa should close down the process and compensate themsuitably," the commerce secretary said

SVM speaks to CM

on 4 June 2008, 8.30 am the SVM delegation met the CM at his Margao Residence and submitted the memorandum given below. Later they met the SP (South) and gave him 8-days to register the FIR or face the peoples wrath

To
Shri Digambar Kamat
Hon. Chief Minister, Govt. of Goa.
Sub: Memorandum regarding demands of the SVM to clear the ambiguity on scrapping SEZs in Goa.
Sir,
1. Since the State Government has already decided to scrap all SEZs in Goa, the latest communication of the Central Government is totally unacceptable to the SEZ Virodhi Manch. The State Government must stand by its decision and ensure that the Central Government should facilitate all technicalities to uphold the collective will of the people of Goa.
2. The claims for compensation by the SEZ promoters is not in order due to the obvious fraud in the allotment of land, the application process and the development works carried out without any permission. For instance the Raheja SEZ had carried out huge developmental works before it was notified on 6 November 2007. In fact villagers had stopped work at the Raheja site on 3 November 2007 and all works here are blatantly illegal.
3. The correspondence between the Central and State Government issued on 12 May 2008 is available to the Rahejas but the State Government feigns ignorance of the same. Obviously the SVM has doubts about the sincerity of the administration.
4. The lackadaisical attitude of the bureaucrats must be brought to book. The entire chain of bureaucrats proceeding on leave after joining speaks about their lack of commitment.
5. The SVM insists that the State Government must strongly condemn the highly irresponsible statements of the Union Commerce Secretary, Mr. Pillai which reflect an attitude of ignoring the key issues of the SEZ related agitation of the Goan people.

The SVM warns the Government to not indulge in acts of omission and commission with regards to the case of Goa against SEZs. We reiterate the following demands of the SVM:
1. Revoke the June 2006 SEZ Policy
2. Constitute CBI inquiry against the obvious fraud of the SEZs in Goa.
3. Order Goa Police to register the FIR against the fraud by GIDC based on the complaint made on 22 October 2007
4. Cancel the allotments made to SEZ companies by GIDC when there was no SEZ policy in the state
5. Amend the Goa Industrial Act 1985 and delete provisions taking away powers of Panchayat in respect of industrial estates.
6. The land must be returned to the original owners as the GIDC is seen to have abused its powers in allotting land for SEZ's and it indicates that GIDC does not need the said land for the Industrial Estate.

The SVM warns the Government that the people of Goa are all ready to give a fitting reply to any moves to bring back any SEZ in any form to Goa. The people of Goa have made it very clear that the SEZs will not be allowed to set foot on their motherland.
The SVM has decided to restart its protest and resistance against the SEZs in Goa. We demand that the Government walk the talk regarding the scrapping of SEZs. We hope that the peaceful citizens are not provoked by the acts of omission and commission with regards to the case of Goa against SEZs.

Yours sincerely

Charles Fernandes
Convenor

SVM to restart agitation against SEZs (2jun press note)

The worst fears of the SEZ Virodhi Manch are confirmed with the Central Government intimating that it CANNOT denotify the 3 SEZ notified for Goa. The SVM has always doubted the sincerity of the Government regarding the scrapping of Special Economic Zones in Goa.

Five months after its public declaration to scrap the SEZs, the State Government has neither revoked the June 2006 SEZ Policy nor has it instituted CBI inquiry against the obvious fraud of the SEZs in Goa. The Goa Police is yet to register the FIR against the fraud by GIDC based on the complaint made on 22 October 2007. All this points to the obvious abetment of the crime.

The State Government is totally inactive in canceling the allotments made to SEZ companies by GIDC when there was no SEZ policy in the state. The said land must be returned to the original owners as the GIDC is seen to have abused its powers in allotting land for SEZ's and it indicates that GIDC does not need the said land for the Industrial Estate.

Right from the start, SVM has been demanding that the SEZ ACT be denotified as it goes against the basic principles of our Constitution. The SVM has also demanded the amendment of the Goa Industrial Act 1985 and deletion of the provisions taking powers of Panchayat in respect of industrial estates.

The SVM warns the Government to not indulge in acts of omission and commission with regards to the case of Goa against SEZs. The people of Goa have made it very clear that the SEZs will not be allowed to set foot on their motherland. After consulting all its constituents, the SVM will immediately announce its plan of resistance and agitation against the SEZs in Goa.

For SEZ Virodhi Manch
Charles Fernandes - Convenor

Amka naka SEZ, amka zai PEZ
(PEZ-Peoples Economic Zone)

the Return of the SEZS?

Our worst doubts stand confirmed.
The Central Govt has intimated the Goa Government that
it CANNOT denotify the 3 SEZ notified for Goa.

Five months after its public posturing to scrap the SEZs, the Goa Government has done precious little to address the following SVM demands:
1. revoke the June 2006 SEZ Policy
2. constitute CBI inquiry against the obvious fraud of the SEZs in Goa.
3. order Goa Police to register the FIR against the fraud by GIDC based on the complaint made on 22 October 2007
4. cancel the allotments made to SEZ companies by GIDC when there was no SEZ policy in the state
5. amendment of the Goa Industrial Act 1985 and deletion of the provisions taking away powers of Panchayat in respect of industrial estates

All this points to the obvious abetment of the crime.
The Government acts of omission and commission stand exposed.
But they forget the the determined resistance against SEZs in Goa.
It is time for people to teach a lesson to the Government again.
Amka naka SEZ, amka zai PEZ