Panaji, December 8, 2007: Cipla’s plan to develop an SEZ in Goa received a serious jolt on Friday when the north Goa collector ordered removal of all machinery from the site after villagers stalled work for the second time. Following the incident, Cipla CEO Amar Lulla said the company was considering all options, including shifting the plant out of Goa.

“For now, we have requested the company to stop work. We will meet all parties, including those opposing the SEZ, before taking a final decision,” an official from north Goa collector’s office said.

Earlier in the day, nearly 500 people from neighbouring villages had gathered at the site of Cipla’s upcoming SEZ at Keri in south Goa, demanding the immediate closure of the proposed site. As things appeared to be getting out of hand, the police intervened and promised the agitators that no work will be allowed to carry out at the site.

“We shall keep an eye on the situation to ensure work does not resume again,” said Franky Monteiro of the People’s Movement against SEZs (PMS), a body fighting against SEZs in the state.

Goa Bachao Abhiyan, which was instrumental in the government de-notifying the controversial Regional Plan 2011, has also joined the agitation against SEZs. “Work has been stopped even after we have obtained all legal permissions. We have to review this situation. We might move out of the place, may be even out of Goa,” said Mr Lulla.

Source: The Economic Times