SEZs will be scrapped if found detrimental to Goas welfare: CM
NT News Service Quepem, Oct 27 The Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat today said that he would not hesitate to scrap all the SEZs proposed to be set up in Goa if they were found to be against the interest and welfare of Goa. He, however, hastened to add that any decision in this regard would be taken only after thoroughly reviewing the SEZs after the Lok Sabha by-polls. Speaking at a public meeting held at Quepem as part of the Congress partys campaign for the Lok Sabha by-polls, Mr Kamat said, The interest and welfare of the common man lies at the core of my heart. So far, all the decisions taken by this government are aimed at the uplift of the aam aadmi. Therefore, if the SEZs are at all found to be detrimental to the welfare of Goans, I wont hesitate to cancel the SEZs. He assured that he was willing to rectify any genuine mistakes that could have inadvertently occurred if brought to his notice. Referring to the demand made by the BJP vice-president, Mr Prakash Velip for the resignation of the Quepem MLA, Mr Chandrakant Kavlekar following the alleged land scam, the Chief Minister defended Mr Kavlekar terming him as a man who cares for the welfare of the poor and the downtrodden. Those who have been rejected by the people at the hustings should refrain from mouthing baseless accusations at those who are really working for the development of the constituency, Mr Kamat said in a veiled reference to Mr Velip who lost the last assembly elections to Mr Kavlekar. He further urged the people to work for the success of the Congress by electing Mr Sardinha with an overwhelming lead. The Quepem MLA reiterated his stand that the proposed food park at Betul would be set up at any cost as it was necessary for the development of Quepem, which had hitherto remained neglected for the past many years. Once the food park is set up, it would ensure a good market for the farmers in the rural places of Quepem, thus helping in raising their standard of living. Secondly, the unemployment problem that has been grappling the constituency for long will be taken care of as a number of employment opportunities would be generated, Mr Kavlekar said. Referring to the land scam issue, the IDC Chairman said the opposition BJP was left with no genuine issues to go to the people and hence it was harping on non-issues. Reminding the audience that it was he who hiked the land rate from Rs 375 to Rs 600 once he took over the reins of the GDIC, Mr Kavlekar said that he would not have taken this decision had he been harbouring any selfish interests. I take pride in the fact that I was responsible for increasing the revenue of the GIDC after raising the price of the land as my intentions were clean and clear, he said and further urged the party workers to work with dedication for the success of the party. The party candidate for the Lok Sabha by-polls, Mr Fransisco Sardinha, the Rajya Sabha MP, Mr Shantaram Naik, the Goa pradesh Mahila Congress president, Ms Monica Dias, vice-president of the party, Mr M K Shaikh, former MP, Mr Ramakant Angle and others also spoke. Our Ponda Correspondent adds: Addressing an election rally today at Old Bus Stand, Ponda, the Chief Minister said that he would study the SEZs from the other countries and if they are found not benefiting Goa and Goans then he would scrap them. Without studying the issue of SEZs, my comments on the issue would be improper, he said. http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=10287 Sanny de Quepem <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com
