Goa SEZs scrapped

On 31 Dec 2007, the Government of Goa scrapped the SEZs. The Chief Minister Mr Digambar Kamat stated that they were not feasible in the present form.

The CM also said that they would to the Centre urging it not to process 8 recommended SEZs that had been kept on the hold, not to notify the 4 approved SEZs, and to denotify the 3 notified SEZs.

The five-member committee headed by Mr Subhash Shirodkar stated in its report stated that SEZs in present form were detrimental to the development of the state and would choke the economic structure and put undue strain infrastructure. The committee has also stated that SEZs would require large chunks of land, and permitting them in the light of scarcity of land in the state was not advisable. It has also said that promotion of SEZs would give back-door entry to the real estate sharks, which in turn would hamper the activities of the genuine real estate developers in Goa and adversely affect state’s socio-economic indicators. The committee has expressed fears that in absence of labour force in the state there would be influx of around 5 lakh non-Goans if SEZs were permitted in the present form. This would create stress on accommodation. It has also stated that the state government would have no control over the recruitment by the promoters of SEZs. The Goans would not get benefit of SEZs, it has said.

The issue of developing SEZs in Goa has been under the scanner for many months now with local villagers alleging misappropriations in land sale to real estate majors for setting up malls in state. The anti-SEZ views are supported by members within the ruling Congress, opposition BJP and the Church.