Centre will not enforce SEZs: CM
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, NOV 19
Chief Minister Digamabar Kamat today said that the Centre will not force the Special Economic Zones on Goa against the wishes of the citizens of the state.“During my visit to Delhi I met the Industries Minister Anand Sharma and the Industries Secretary and reminded them about the de-notification of three SEZs, which were earlier notified in Goa,” Kamat told reporters.
He said the Goa government has withdrawn the controversial SEZ policy and hence there is no question of any SEZs making entry through backdoor.
Asked why was the delay in de-notifying SEZs as the State had decided to scrap them almost two years ago, Kamat said, “The SEZs cannot be de-notified overnight and the government has to study the legal implication which I know they are doing.”
“The Centre will not force the SEZ against the wishes of Goans,” he said. He said the AICC president Sonia Gandhi too has assured the Goans that SEZs will not be forced on them.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
SVM condemns Aleixo Sequeira for SEZ statement
Manch condemns Aleixo Sequeira for SEZ statement
TNN 11 November 2009, 05:11am IST
PANAJI: The SEZ Virodhi Manch has condemned the statements made by power minister, Aleixo Sequeira, that he is in favour of setting up a special economic zone in Goa.
"At a time when ruling and opposition MLAs, cutting across party lines, have denounced SEZs in the state, and moreover, when even the government, realising its folly, has scrapped SEZs and the SEZ policy for Goa, the vested interests of the MLA stand exposed, as he is one among the few legislators who are instrumental in the said fraudulent allotment of lands for SEZs in the state," convenor of the Manch, Charles Fernandes, alleged. "Today, people in the state know that SEZs are autonomous bodies comprising of not only industries, but also commercial spaces, multiplexes, residential complexes, etc, having their own labour laws, law and order, free from all taxes, including import and export duties, and above all, outside the jurisdiction of the local bodies and state government. Yet the MLA seems to be in favour of the SEZs, as he believes that the industries that were to come up, were IT industries, and hence non-polluting, which in turn would create employment not only for highly qualified, but also for youngsters who have only passed the SSC," Fernandes said. Fernandes questioned the MLA as to where the employment force of 2.85 lakh persons would come from. He said that 51 lakh litres of water per day and 135 KVA of power per day would be required by the SEZ companies at Verna alone. "People of the state demand to know how many local villagers and citizens of the state are employed in the industrial units at the Verna industrial estate? People form villages repeatedly complain to panchayats that garbage from industrial units is seen dumped at various places along the roads leading to the villages. Being the minister for environment, Sequeira is turning a Nelson's eye to the environment hazard. Surely, the MLA should do much more than merely forward representations received from the people to the respective departments," Fernandes said.
CM snubs Aleixo, rules out SEZs
TNN 10 November 2009, 05:25am IST
PANAJI: Chief minister Digambar Kamat on Monday said his government is clear on its special economic zones (SEZ) policy and that it would not welcome them in Goa. He was reacting to statements made by environment minister Aleixo Sequeira on Sunday favouring setting of SEZs in the state. Kamat dismissed Sequeira’s statement as “his individual opinion”. “The government policy is clear, and we have already communicated our stand to the Centre,” Kamat told TOI. Regarding Sequeira’s views on the subject, he added, “Some persons may have their individual views and whatever he (Sequeira) has said is just that.” Kamat categorically stated there is no question of a government rethink on the SEZ policy. “We cannot go on changing our stand,” the CM said.
TNN 11 November 2009, 05:11am IST
PANAJI: The SEZ Virodhi Manch has condemned the statements made by power minister, Aleixo Sequeira, that he is in favour of setting up a special economic zone in Goa.
"At a time when ruling and opposition MLAs, cutting across party lines, have denounced SEZs in the state, and moreover, when even the government, realising its folly, has scrapped SEZs and the SEZ policy for Goa, the vested interests of the MLA stand exposed, as he is one among the few legislators who are instrumental in the said fraudulent allotment of lands for SEZs in the state," convenor of the Manch, Charles Fernandes, alleged. "Today, people in the state know that SEZs are autonomous bodies comprising of not only industries, but also commercial spaces, multiplexes, residential complexes, etc, having their own labour laws, law and order, free from all taxes, including import and export duties, and above all, outside the jurisdiction of the local bodies and state government. Yet the MLA seems to be in favour of the SEZs, as he believes that the industries that were to come up, were IT industries, and hence non-polluting, which in turn would create employment not only for highly qualified, but also for youngsters who have only passed the SSC," Fernandes said. Fernandes questioned the MLA as to where the employment force of 2.85 lakh persons would come from. He said that 51 lakh litres of water per day and 135 KVA of power per day would be required by the SEZ companies at Verna alone. "People of the state demand to know how many local villagers and citizens of the state are employed in the industrial units at the Verna industrial estate? People form villages repeatedly complain to panchayats that garbage from industrial units is seen dumped at various places along the roads leading to the villages. Being the minister for environment, Sequeira is turning a Nelson's eye to the environment hazard. Surely, the MLA should do much more than merely forward representations received from the people to the respective departments," Fernandes said.
CM snubs Aleixo, rules out SEZs
TNN 10 November 2009, 05:25am IST
PANAJI: Chief minister Digambar Kamat on Monday said his government is clear on its special economic zones (SEZ) policy and that it would not welcome them in Goa. He was reacting to statements made by environment minister Aleixo Sequeira on Sunday favouring setting of SEZs in the state. Kamat dismissed Sequeira’s statement as “his individual opinion”. “The government policy is clear, and we have already communicated our stand to the Centre,” Kamat told TOI. Regarding Sequeira’s views on the subject, he added, “Some persons may have their individual views and whatever he (Sequeira) has said is just that.” Kamat categorically stated there is no question of a government rethink on the SEZ policy. “We cannot go on changing our stand,” the CM said.
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