The anti special economic zone activists on Monday alleged that Goa government's move to hold talks with SEZ promoters for giving them alternate land to set up industry is 'an attempt of backdoor entry.'
"This is an attempt of backdoor entry. We will not tolerate this. We warn the Central and State Government that they should not cheat people of Goa," SEZ Virodhi Manch, a group opposing the SEZs, said.
The group had protested against K Raheja corp's project at Verna industrial estate, 20 km away from Panaji.
The reaction stems from recent statement by senior Congress leader Shantaram Naik disclosing that Chief Minister Digamber Kamat will meet three SEZ promoters to discuss alternate land proposal to set up industry (not SEZ).
Naik had quoted a meeting with Union Commerce Minister Kamal Nath in which the minister had said that Kamat will discuss the proposal with them. Three notified SEZ developers, which are pending de-notification, participated in the meeting.
"We strongly condemn the statements of the Union Commerce Minister Kamal Nath who wants Goa government to allow developers of three notified SEZs to set up some other industry on the land allotted to them," SVM's convenor Charles Fernandes told PTI.
Fernandes said since October 2007, complaints were filed at police stations against alleged fraud in the process of application and approval of SEZs.
"Time and again, the SVM has used documents procured (under RTI) from the GIDC to uncover the illegal and immoral scam of the SEZs in Goa," Fernandes said adding that no action has followed the complaints.
Fernandes said the state government should not enter into any deal with any of the developers who have committed illegal acts to get their SEZs approved or notified.
"The SEZ promoters should also face the penalty and punishment for subverting and manipulating the laws of the land," he said.
