Citizens’ Research Collective on SEZ

Mangalore, January 30, 2008: State governments could not bypass the resolutions of local bodies regarding Special Economic Zones (SEZs) being set up in the nation, said Goa’s Movement Against SEZ leader and former minister Matanhy Saldana.

Addressing mediapersons here on Tuesday, Saldana said that it was not possible for the state government to ignore local bodies’ decision as four gram panchayats of Mangalore taluk, where Mangalore SEZ was proposed to come up, had already passed a resolution against the proposal.

The Centre should pass an ordinance and scrap the proposals of all SEZs in the nation,” he urged.

Terming SEZs as a disaster for the country, Saldana said that the projects would not guarantee sustainability of better living condition to the people.

Free Trade Zones were announced 15 years ago without bothering its consequences, he said adding that SEZs could never ensure job guarantee or environmental protection.

As there was a provision under the Section 21 of the General Clauses Act-1897 to denotify SEZ proposals, the Mangalore SEZ proposal could also be denotified, he said.

Judiciary and legislature in the nation were functioning within their limitation and were not bothered about people’s concern regarding SEZ proposals, Saldana blamed and added that he was not against any development activities.

“We need a sustainable industrial development which provide employment, infrastructure and should protect environment,” he urged.

Saldana said that the Karnataka government had spent Rs 80 crore to prepare five study reports regarding the feasibility of setting up of mega industries in the state.

“Let the government go by the recommendations and guidelines which the studies suggest,” he urged.

It was the corrupt Chief Minister of Goa Pratap Singh Rane behind the proposal of setting up of 15 SEZs in the state, Saldana alleged adding that all the 15 SEZ proposals were can celled through unified fight.

Source: NewIndPress.com