Citizens’ Research Collective on SEZ

Panaji, November 25, 2007: Members of the Goa’s Movement Against Special Economic Zones (GMAS), which is spearheading an agitation for scrapping of the proposed special economic zone (SEZ) projects in the State, on Friday went on a fast in the city in support of their demands.

GMAS convenor and former Tourism Minister Matanhy Saldanha has urged the people of Goa to write to the Union Government and the Goa Chief Minister opposing the “anti-people SEZ projects in Goa”.

The agitation will be intensified if the Government ignores the demands of the agitators, he has said.

The agitators have demanded that all SEZ projects, including seven approved, be put on hold till the Government studies the issue again.

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, however, has responded by stating that Goa will not have any more SEZ, but ruled out hasty and arbitrary action against the SEZ projects approved and notified by the erstwhile Government unless he examines the issue. He has declined to accept the deadlines set by the agitators in this regard.

Mr. Saldanha has been arguing that SEZ projects will lead to further dilution and loss of Goa’s identity and culture on account of inward migration of people in search of jobs.

Besides, this influx will lead to proliferation of slums and increase in crime, theft and garbage apart from adding to the strain on the infrastructure.

Singer Hema Sardesai joined the agitation on Friday.

Meanwhile, the Goa Bachao Abhiyan (GBA) has urged the Chief Minister to order an immediate freeze on land acquisition and SEZs proposed to be set up in Goa until the task force set up for Regional Plan 2021 completes its job.

In a communique to the Chief Minister recently, the GBA stated that it was disturbed by the way the government was proceeding to acquire land in the name of “development” in this tiny State.

Source: The Hindu