October 20, 2007
The Chief Minister,
Government of Goa,
Panaji,
G O A
Sir,
With reference to your recent statement that appeared in the Press, stating
that all SEZ projects have been kept in "cold storage", we wish to draw your
attention to the fact that work is proceeding at breakneck speed at the SEZs
earmarked in Phase IV of the Verna Industrial Estate, Verna, Salcete.
To your further statement that water will not be supplied to these SEZs, we
would once again like to draw your attention to the fact that the SEZ
developers have sunk borewells and are drawing ground water, free of cost,
losing for the Government in the process, revenue that they would have had
to pay for water supply.
Incidentally, if the Government has taken a decision not to supply the SEZs
with water, then we would be grateful if you would inform us just where they
are expected to source their water requirements. Or are the people expected
to suffer as the SEZs deplete our precious ground water resources as is
already taking place.
Your decision not to supply water and power to SEZs also contravenes the
Goa SEZ Policy 2006 which states that "The SEZ authority (Special Economic
Zone Authority constituted under section (i) of Section 13 of SEZ Act) shall
ensure the provision of adequate supply within the SEZ zones for SEZ units."
for water and that "the SEZ authority will ensure continuous and quality
power supply to SEZs" Perhaps the Government needs to be more aware of the
resolutions taken by it before making media statements that mislead the
people.
We would also like to take this opportunity to inform you that every factory
in the Verna Industrial Estate has indiscriminately sunk borewells while the
Government authorities and GIDC have turned a blind eye, thanks to the
Government's incapacity to supply them with the amount of water originally
promised whilst setting up the Verna Industrial Estate.
Thanking you and looking forward to your immediate action in the matter
Yours truly,
For and on behalf of PEOPLE'S MOVEMENT AGAINST SEZS
Charles Fernandes
Convenor
Copies to Goa Bachao Abhiyan & Council for Social Justice & Peace
