Citizens’ Research Collective on SEZ

Mangalore, January 27, 2008: Former Defence Minister George Fernandes said here on Sunday that whenever the land was acquired for establishing special economic zones (SEZs) in and around Mangalore, the land owners should be enrolled as stakeholders or partners in the SEZs.

Mr. Fernandes was here to receive “Lifetime Achievement Award” instituted by “Mangalore Today”, an English monthly being published from the city.

As Mr. Fernandes could not speak owing to health problem, the text of his speech was read out. “Care should be taken not to allow polluting mega industries. Mega industries should be allowed only after conducting detailed environmental study pertaining to the carrying capacity of undivided Dakshina Kannada district and keeping in mind the objectives of sustainable development,” he said.

“I feel, instead of aiming at establishing mega industries which are likely to disturb the socio-economic equations prevailing for centuries, the planners should encourage agricultural processing and port related industries,” Mr. Fernandes said.

He said that Mangalore offered enough scope for development as it had an airport, harbour, railway connectivity and connectivity through highways. “It is blessed with water resources, water falls, beaches and a rich heritage. However, the development should be a blend of old and new,” he said.

Owing to high literacy rate, establishment of Information Technology related industries would create large employment opportunities. The eco-tourism should be encouraged to exploit the natural beauties of Western Ghats and surrounding regions.

The future of Mangalore depended on the development in its surrounding areas, he said. M.V. Kamath, chairman, Prasar Bharati, who presented the award, said that Mr. Fernandes implemented the Konkan Railway project. He was instrumental in connecting the West Coast from Mumbai to Kerala. After leaving Mangalore at his young age, Mr. Fernandes arrived in Mumbai. Mr. Fernandes can speak 16 languages. He showed the courage to get the statues of King Edward VII and Queen Victoria removed from the then Bombay as he believed that those statues reminded the colonial past.

Source: The Hindu