Panaji, November 13, 2007: Goa Chief Minister Digamber Kamat on Tuesday said there will be no more special economic zones (SEZs) in the state. Under constant pressure from anti-SEZ groups including alliance partner Nationalist Congress Party and local Church, Kamat said the government will also review those SEZs which have already been approved.
“There are seven SEZs approved while applications for eight more are pending at different levels. We have kept these eight on hold while we will examine the seven SEZs considering the objections raised by certain section,” Kamat told reporters here.
As per official information available through right to information, there are 16 SEZs planned in this coastal state.
“Development work has already started on two SEZs,” Kamat conceded adding, he will have to study all the angles before deciding on scrapping seven SEZs.
“They can take us to court… I need time to decide,” he said.
The Chief Minister said during his recent Delhi visit, Union Commerce Minister Kamal Nath had assured not to clear the eight more projects till the local government wanted it.
The Kamat-led government is constantly under pressure on SEZ issue with main opposition BJP racking it up as a major plank.
What seems to have worsened chief minister’s worry is the strong opposition expressed by NCP to the SEZs. Goa catholic church too had objected to SEZs in the state.
Source: The Times of India
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