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.