National

Objection to SEZs on government acquired land

PANAJI: Announcing the decision to scrap all Special Economic Zone projects in Goa, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat on Monday said that during consultations with different parties and groups, there were divergent views such as, “why not allow SEZs in private property in limited land? We would deliberate on these aspects subsequently.”

Addressing a press conference here, he said: “What most of the people objected to is the fact that the SEZs were being set up on land acquired by the government for private investors.”

As regards the land allotted for the projects now scrapped, the Chief Minister said, “We would examine the issue and take an appropriate decision.”

He reiterated his government’s decision to examine the Congress recommendations such as restrictions on outsiders on buying large chunks of land in Goa and that the government desist from acquiring land for private parties.

“We are examining the legislations in Uttaranchal and Himachal Pradesh to restrict outsiders purchasing huge land.”

In a guarded reaction, the leader of the Movement Against SEZs, Matanhy Saldanha, whose “ultimatum to tourists to leave Goa ahead of New Year celebrations” had sent panic waves in the State’s tourism industry, welcomed the government’s decision.

Mr. Saldanha told The Hindu, “Our struggle gets over only after we are fully satisfied that no SEZ can come up in Goa in any form.” “Nevertheless,” the former Tourism Minister said, “We are happy to begin with.”

He said, “Our struggle is to protect the interest of the people,” and added with a smile, “now the tourists can enjoy in a much more relaxed and happy mood in Goa.”

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