Get notified SEZs de-notified, SVM tells govt
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, JUNE 16
Welcoming the decision of the Goa government to scrap the SEZ policy for Goa, the SEZ Virodhi Manch has warned that it will not rest till the approvals granted by the Central government are withdrawn and the notified SEZs denotified.
Demanding that the government should not enter into any deal with any of the developers in form of compensation for work done and who have committed illegal acts to get their SEZs approved or notified, the SVM has further warned the SEZ promoters not to play with the sentiments of the people and voluntarily walk out of these SEZ projects as they will not be allowed to set up shop in the state in any form.
“The SEZ promoters should compensate the concerned villages for the destruction committed in form of rampant hill cutting and de-forestation”, the Manch demanded.
Thanking Chief Minister on behalf of the Aam Aadmi for taking one more bold step to show that he is with the people and is serious with his intentions to scrap SEZs in Goa much against the wishes of some of his colleagues, the Manch said “the battle is won, but the war is far from over for SVM. The government must now pursue the matter with the Central government and get the approvals granted to SEZ companies withdrawn and the notified SEZs de-notified”.
“The government decision is a victory for the SEZ Virodhi Manch and the Aam Aadmi. Every since the Digambar Kamat had announced the scrapping of SEZs in Goa on January 1, 2008 bowing down to the demands of the people, SVM have time and again held various agitations, public meetings, morchas demanding scrapping of the SEZ policy”, the Manch said, adding that the government has once again bowed down to the wishes of the Aam Aadmi and scrapped the SEZ policy in the State.
The Manch has warned the Centre to make wise sense prevail and bow down to the demands of the people and the State government. “The vested interests of the Board of Approvals, Delhi stand exposed wherein when various SEZs have been denotified at the request of the SEZ promoters, the Board of Approvals refuse to denotify SEZs in Goa even after being demanded by the people of the State and the Goa government who had recommended the approvals”, Manch Convenor Charles Fernandes said.
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Thursday, June 18, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Hearings of SEZ pleas adjourned
17 Jun 2009, 0343 hrs IST, TNN
PANAJI: The high court of Bombay at Goa on Tuesday adjourned the hearings of SEZ-related petitions to July 27.
The court also allowed advocates appearing in the cases to amend the petitions in view of the state government's decision to withdraw its SEZ policy.
During the hearing, advocate Surendra Dessai, appearing for some of the SEZ developers, prayed that he may be allowed to withdraw the petitions and file fresh pleas. "This must be done to incorporate the fresh developments on the SEZ policy," he said.
At this point, advocates appearing for the remaining parties submitted that instead of filing fresh petitions, the court should allow the parties to amend their present petitions.
A bench comprising Justice B P Dharmadhikari and Justice U D Salvi was hearing petitions filed by six SEZ promoters -- Meditab Specialities Pvt Ltd, Peninsular Pharma Research Centre Pvt Ltd, Paradigm Logistic & Distribution Private Ltd, Planetview Mercantile Company Pvt Ltd, Inox Mercentile Company Pvt Ltd and Maxgrow Finlease Pvt Ltd.
The promoters had approached the court after the Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) served show cause notices to them over withdrawal of land allotted to the promoters. GIDC had acquired about 3.8m sq m of land for setting up SEZs.
PANAJI: The high court of Bombay at Goa on Tuesday adjourned the hearings of SEZ-related petitions to July 27.
The court also allowed advocates appearing in the cases to amend the petitions in view of the state government's decision to withdraw its SEZ policy.
During the hearing, advocate Surendra Dessai, appearing for some of the SEZ developers, prayed that he may be allowed to withdraw the petitions and file fresh pleas. "This must be done to incorporate the fresh developments on the SEZ policy," he said.
At this point, advocates appearing for the remaining parties submitted that instead of filing fresh petitions, the court should allow the parties to amend their present petitions.
A bench comprising Justice B P Dharmadhikari and Justice U D Salvi was hearing petitions filed by six SEZ promoters -- Meditab Specialities Pvt Ltd, Peninsular Pharma Research Centre Pvt Ltd, Paradigm Logistic & Distribution Private Ltd, Planetview Mercantile Company Pvt Ltd, Inox Mercentile Company Pvt Ltd and Maxgrow Finlease Pvt Ltd.
The promoters had approached the court after the Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) served show cause notices to them over withdrawal of land allotted to the promoters. GIDC had acquired about 3.8m sq m of land for setting up SEZs.
Adv Sonak, GIDC MD sued for professional misconduct
HERALD CORRESPONDENT, CORTALIM, JUNE 15
An application seeking action against High Court Advocate Mahesh S Sonak and the Managing Director of Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) A V Palekar for professional misconduct has been filed in the Bombay High Court.
The applicant has sought action against the lawyer under Bombay High Court Rules and Advocates Act and the Bar Council of India Rules.
The applicant, John Philip Pereira of Nagoa-Salcete, an anti-SEZ activist, is the petitioner in the writ petition filed against GIDC and six others. The applicant has alleged that Adv Sonak, despite being on the GIDC panel of advocates, appeared for respondents 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 (all SEZ firms) in utter disregard to professional ethics. In this case, the State of Goa is respondent 1, while the GIDC is respondent 2.
Moreover, the application also states that Respondent 7, represented by Adv Sonak with Adv N Vaze, had filed a writ against GIDC.The petition, according to Pereira, was filed after an order was passed by the High Court in a writ petition of which Para No 7 states: “the counsel for GIDC assures the court that in case of Respondent 7, all steps which are required in law for canceling the allotment and lease agreement, etc would be initiated and completed before September 8, 2008 by GIDC. This is a clear indication that GIDC’s policy was not in favour of SEZ’s in Goa.
This, the applicant alleged, is a clear violation of Rule 7(ii) of GIDC (terms and conditions of fees to the Corporation’s Counsels) which states “The advocate on panel shall have the right to private practice in all matters except in civil matters, which should not interfere with the efficient discharge of his functions and duties. He will not advise or accept against the Corporation in any cases in which he is likely to be called upon to appear or advise or it is likely to affect or lead to litigation against the Corporation.”
The applicant also accused Sonak of violating Rule 22 of High Court of Bombay original side rules.Praying for suspension of sanad of Adv Sonak and action under relevant rules, the applicant also sought action against the managing director of GIDC for his acts of commission and omission.
When contacted, Adv Sonak said he could not offer his comments since the matter was sub-judice. Meanwhile, the application and writ petition is likely to come before High Court on June 16
An application seeking action against High Court Advocate Mahesh S Sonak and the Managing Director of Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) A V Palekar for professional misconduct has been filed in the Bombay High Court.
The applicant has sought action against the lawyer under Bombay High Court Rules and Advocates Act and the Bar Council of India Rules.
The applicant, John Philip Pereira of Nagoa-Salcete, an anti-SEZ activist, is the petitioner in the writ petition filed against GIDC and six others. The applicant has alleged that Adv Sonak, despite being on the GIDC panel of advocates, appeared for respondents 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 (all SEZ firms) in utter disregard to professional ethics. In this case, the State of Goa is respondent 1, while the GIDC is respondent 2.
Moreover, the application also states that Respondent 7, represented by Adv Sonak with Adv N Vaze, had filed a writ against GIDC.The petition, according to Pereira, was filed after an order was passed by the High Court in a writ petition of which Para No 7 states: “the counsel for GIDC assures the court that in case of Respondent 7, all steps which are required in law for canceling the allotment and lease agreement, etc would be initiated and completed before September 8, 2008 by GIDC. This is a clear indication that GIDC’s policy was not in favour of SEZ’s in Goa.
This, the applicant alleged, is a clear violation of Rule 7(ii) of GIDC (terms and conditions of fees to the Corporation’s Counsels) which states “The advocate on panel shall have the right to private practice in all matters except in civil matters, which should not interfere with the efficient discharge of his functions and duties. He will not advise or accept against the Corporation in any cases in which he is likely to be called upon to appear or advise or it is likely to affect or lead to litigation against the Corporation.”
The applicant also accused Sonak of violating Rule 22 of High Court of Bombay original side rules.Praying for suspension of sanad of Adv Sonak and action under relevant rules, the applicant also sought action against the managing director of GIDC for his acts of commission and omission.
When contacted, Adv Sonak said he could not offer his comments since the matter was sub-judice. Meanwhile, the application and writ petition is likely to come before High Court on June 16
Goa scraps SEZ policy, at last
HERALD REPORTER, PANJIM, JUNE 15
Finally, the controversial Special Economic Zone (SEZ) policy 2006 is scrapped. Interestingly, the Cabinet decision on this comes one-and-a-half year after the Goa Government officially said ‘No’ to SEZs in Goa.
“The Cabinet today has decided to withdraw SEZ policy 2006”, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat announced at a post-Cabinet press conference here.Kamat, who was accompanied by Home Minister Ravi Naik, claimed that his Government would continue its opposition to setting up SEZs in the State as they were opposed by the public at large. He said that the State has not given any thought for compensating the SEZ developers although the money paid by them in purchasing land would be reimbursed.
While the 15 approved SEZs have been scrapped, the Government is still nagged with the issue of three SEZs developers -- Meditab Specialities, Peninsula Pharma Research Centre and K Raheja — which were notified. It may be recalled that during Pratapsing Rane-Government in 2006, Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) allotted huge tracts of land to several companies, for setting up 18 SEZs in Goa. Some allotments were made by GIDC even before the Goa SEZ Policy was notified.
SEZ Virodhi Manch as well as Goa’s Movement Against SEZ were formed and with citizens’ overwhelming support, an agitation was started against SEZs. BJP belatedly joined the bandwagon and made it an election issue in a big way but ultimately failed to be the single largest party in the 2007 assembly election. Denials notwithstanding, BJP was in favour of two SEZs until anti-SEZ protests intensified when it changed its stand.
NO SEZ: A couple of months after the new Government of Digambar Kamat was installed, the anti-SEZ agitation was intensified. Ultimately, respecting the sentiments of the people, Digambar Kamat took a decision to scrap SEZs in Goa on January 1, 2008 – as New Year’s gift to the people of the State. It is still considered to be the boldest decision taken by Kamat as he went against the interests of many of his ministerial colleagues and senior leaders of Congress party.
PROPOSAL: Since January 2008, SEZ Virodhi Manch and GMAS among others had been demanding scrapping of the Goa SEZ Policy, 2006. In this backdrop, the Industries Department put up a note to the Government last year, for scrapping the SEZ Policy, it had drafted three years ago. But the proposal, for reasons unknown, was kept pending for months.
DENOTIFY: Union commerce ministry’s Board of Approval is yet to denotify these SEZs despite several communications from the State Government opposing these industrial enclaves. Asked whether the withdrawal will help the denotification of the three SEZs, Kamat said “I don’t know.” “You are free to make your own assumptions I don’t want to say anything”, he said adding, “I again reiterate that my Government is doing everything to see that the SEZs are denotified”.
Incidentally, the chief minister, during his recent visit to New Delhi, is learnt to have pursued the demand for denotifying the three SEZs, with the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, and other central leaders including Union Minister for Commerce Anand Sharma
Finally, the controversial Special Economic Zone (SEZ) policy 2006 is scrapped. Interestingly, the Cabinet decision on this comes one-and-a-half year after the Goa Government officially said ‘No’ to SEZs in Goa.
“The Cabinet today has decided to withdraw SEZ policy 2006”, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat announced at a post-Cabinet press conference here.Kamat, who was accompanied by Home Minister Ravi Naik, claimed that his Government would continue its opposition to setting up SEZs in the State as they were opposed by the public at large. He said that the State has not given any thought for compensating the SEZ developers although the money paid by them in purchasing land would be reimbursed.
While the 15 approved SEZs have been scrapped, the Government is still nagged with the issue of three SEZs developers -- Meditab Specialities, Peninsula Pharma Research Centre and K Raheja — which were notified. It may be recalled that during Pratapsing Rane-Government in 2006, Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) allotted huge tracts of land to several companies, for setting up 18 SEZs in Goa. Some allotments were made by GIDC even before the Goa SEZ Policy was notified.
SEZ Virodhi Manch as well as Goa’s Movement Against SEZ were formed and with citizens’ overwhelming support, an agitation was started against SEZs. BJP belatedly joined the bandwagon and made it an election issue in a big way but ultimately failed to be the single largest party in the 2007 assembly election. Denials notwithstanding, BJP was in favour of two SEZs until anti-SEZ protests intensified when it changed its stand.
NO SEZ: A couple of months after the new Government of Digambar Kamat was installed, the anti-SEZ agitation was intensified. Ultimately, respecting the sentiments of the people, Digambar Kamat took a decision to scrap SEZs in Goa on January 1, 2008 – as New Year’s gift to the people of the State. It is still considered to be the boldest decision taken by Kamat as he went against the interests of many of his ministerial colleagues and senior leaders of Congress party.
PROPOSAL: Since January 2008, SEZ Virodhi Manch and GMAS among others had been demanding scrapping of the Goa SEZ Policy, 2006. In this backdrop, the Industries Department put up a note to the Government last year, for scrapping the SEZ Policy, it had drafted three years ago. But the proposal, for reasons unknown, was kept pending for months.
DENOTIFY: Union commerce ministry’s Board of Approval is yet to denotify these SEZs despite several communications from the State Government opposing these industrial enclaves. Asked whether the withdrawal will help the denotification of the three SEZs, Kamat said “I don’t know.” “You are free to make your own assumptions I don’t want to say anything”, he said adding, “I again reiterate that my Government is doing everything to see that the SEZs are denotified”.
Incidentally, the chief minister, during his recent visit to New Delhi, is learnt to have pursued the demand for denotifying the three SEZs, with the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, and other central leaders including Union Minister for Commerce Anand Sharma
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