Citizens’ Research Collective on SEZ

Margao, November 3, 2007: Putting up a united front against the permissions issued to set up special economic zones, people from various parts of South Goa, including the sarpanchas and panchas, marched to the Verna Industrial Estate, today morning and demanded that K Raheja Pvt Ltd, a SEZ developer immediately stop work on the site.

The agitating locals shouted slogans and demanded an immediate withdrawal of the SEZs in Goa. They also urged the government to institute a thorough inquiry into the allocation of land for SEZs and have warned that they would come out on the streets if no action is taken.

According to the convenor of the ‘People’s Movement Against SEZs,’ Mr Charles Fernandes, the SEZ was not notified by the government. He also stated that since the Chief Minister had publicly assured to review the SEZ policy, the concerned developer should have stopped the work.

The project manager of K Raheja Pvt Ltd informed the agitated public gathered there that although the SEZ had not been notified, they had got the required permissions from the Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) to sink the bore wells, tap ground water and blast the hills. “We were shocked that the GIDC has usurped the powers of the department of mines and industries, water resources and town and country planning,” said Mr Charles Fernandes. He informed that there was no board put up with the project details as required by the law.

‘People’s Movement Against SEZs’ has demanded a joint inspection of the site by the collector along with the people and media. It has also demanded that all relevant documents be examined to ensure transparency in the activity. A special magistrate present at the site, today, took note of the borewell water being pumped into overflowing tanks and the mass destruction of the hills, the convenor informed. He then instructed the people to submit a memorandum to the collector giving all relevant information.

Source: The Navhind Times