Citizens’ Research Collective on SEZ

Devika Sequeira

Panaji, november 12, 2007 (DHNS): An umbrella organisation of NGOs which has received the backing of Goas Catholic Church, has given Chief Minister Digambar Kamat a weeks time to stay all SEZs development in Goa and to cancel the land allocation for the seven SEZ projects approved so far.

Raising the pitch in what is becoming an increasingly vocal anti-SEZ sentiment in Goa, the SEZ Virodhi Manch (People’s Movement Against SEZs) told the media on Monday that villages where the SEZs are to be located, had “unambiguously” opposed the takeover of land in the gram sabhas. But the government remained unresponsive to overriding local sentiment, they said.

The growing resentment spells trouble for the chief minister, with the Church’s unequivocal endorsement of the demand that the SEZs be scrapped altogether. Though the BJP and other political entities have sensed opportunity in the anti-SEZ protests, the Church has made clear that the Manch would steer clear of political alignments.

“This is a non political body committed to a grassroots struggle, and the question we are asking is, are SEZs required for Goa at all when there is scarce land available for local people?” said Fr Maverick Fernances, secretary of the Church’s Council for Social Justice and Peace.

Apart from suspicions over the opaque transactions of land to the SEZ allotees, is the growing concern that Goans are being increasingly marginalised in their own state: “We have seen from past experience that jobs in industry here have gone to outsiders. The SEZs would double Goa’s population in five years and obliterate Goans,” said former IAS officer Arvind Bhatikar who heads the Jagrut Goem.

Seven SEZs out of 15 were approved for Goa earlier this year. The Centre has put on hold eight SEZs following a meeting between Kamat and Union Commerce Minister Kamal Nath.

Source: Deccan Herald