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