The SEZ Virodhi Manch questions the sincerity of the Government of Goa regarding the scrapping of Special Economic Zones in Goa. Four months after its public declaration to scrap the SEZs, the 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.
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.
The SVM condemns the 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. SVM warns the Government to not indulge in acts of omission and commission with regards to the case of Goa against SEZs. The SVM demands the amendment of the Goa Industrial Act 1985 and delete provisions taking powers of Panchayat in respect of industrial estates.
The SVM has connected to the national solidarity against SEZs and are working closely with groups in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and elsewhere. At the village level, the solidarity against SEZs is intact and the recent Gramsabha resolutions at Keri, Verna and elsewhere are indicative of the peoples' opposition to SEZs in all forms.
A letter has been written to the SP (South Goa) on 28 April 2008 giving the Goa Police 15 days to register the FIR based on the complaint made on 22 October 2007, failing which the people will be forced to take appropriate action as per the law. 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 protests will be kicked off with a public meeting at Keri on 11 May 2008.
sd - Charles Fernandes
Convenor, SEZ Virodhi Manch
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Saturday, May 3, 2008
SEZ: people move court over land
BY HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, MAY 1 –
Villagers of Loutolim, Verna, Cortalim, Sancoale and Keri have challenged the impropriety by the Goa government and the IDC in allotting land to set up SEZs in Goa by filing three separate petitions before the Bombay High Court, Panjim. The petitions prayed that an independent body such as the CBI or a Commission headed by a High Court or Supreme Court judge be constituted to conduct an inquiry into the irregularities of the entire allotment procedure, including the possibility of an irregular graft and recommend immediate action against the people responsible for the illegal allotments. The petitioners also prayed for directions to stop any construction on the land pending the final disposal of the case and prayed for issue of a writ declaring the entire proceedings of the 287th Board meeting of the GIDC null and void. A total of 57 annexure consisting of around 500 pages have been enclosed along with the petitions in support of the case. The petitioners have prayed before the High Court to issue a writ, order or direction in the nature of Certiorari quashing the allotments made in respect of K Raheja Corporation Ltd, Paradigm Logistics and Distribution Ltd, Inox Mercantile Company Ltd, Planet View Mercantile Company, Maxgrow Finlease Ltd in the Verna Industrial Estate (Phase IV), Peninsula Research Centre at Sancoale and Meditab Specialities Ltd in Keri. The Human Rights Law Network (HRLN), Goa unit, is supporting the legal interventions through their national networks. Senior lawyers from Delhi and Mumbai would be called to represent the case at various stages.
Villagers of Loutolim, Verna, Cortalim, Sancoale and Keri have challenged the impropriety by the Goa government and the IDC in allotting land to set up SEZs in Goa by filing three separate petitions before the Bombay High Court, Panjim. The petitions prayed that an independent body such as the CBI or a Commission headed by a High Court or Supreme Court judge be constituted to conduct an inquiry into the irregularities of the entire allotment procedure, including the possibility of an irregular graft and recommend immediate action against the people responsible for the illegal allotments. The petitioners also prayed for directions to stop any construction on the land pending the final disposal of the case and prayed for issue of a writ declaring the entire proceedings of the 287th Board meeting of the GIDC null and void. A total of 57 annexure consisting of around 500 pages have been enclosed along with the petitions in support of the case. The petitioners have prayed before the High Court to issue a writ, order or direction in the nature of Certiorari quashing the allotments made in respect of K Raheja Corporation Ltd, Paradigm Logistics and Distribution Ltd, Inox Mercantile Company Ltd, Planet View Mercantile Company, Maxgrow Finlease Ltd in the Verna Industrial Estate (Phase IV), Peninsula Research Centre at Sancoale and Meditab Specialities Ltd in Keri. The Human Rights Law Network (HRLN), Goa unit, is supporting the legal interventions through their national networks. Senior lawyers from Delhi and Mumbai would be called to represent the case at various stages.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
