Anti-SEZ activists accuse GIDC of usurping powers
BY HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, NOV 3 In a swift move to oppose SEZs, people from various parts of South Goa on Saturday demanded that K Raheja Pvt Ltd, a SEZ developer in Phase IV of Verna Industrial Estate, stop work immediately, since the said SEZ has not been notified. According to a statement issued by the Peoples Movement Against SEZs (PMAS), Rahejas project manager is understood to have said that though the SEZ has not been notified, the company had sought and received permission from GIDC to allegedly dig bore-wells, tap ground water and carry out blasting operations on the hills. PMAS expressed shock and anguish and allegedly accused the Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) of usurping the powers of the Departments of Mines & Industries, Water Resources and Town & Country Planning by arbitrarily taking over their functions. Unfortunately, the project manager informed the people that relevant permissions (documents) issued by GIDC for construction work and other activities were not available at the site, the statement added. Given the situation, the people demanded a joint inspection of the site to be conducted by the District Collector in the presence of the people and the media, besides scrutiny of all relevant documents. A Special Magistrate, who was present, took note of the water that was being pumped out of the bore-wells and into the overflowing tanks, besides the mass destruction of hills. He instructed the people to submit a memorandum to the Collector, detailing the blatant destruction of environment and assured them that he would confirm the points made in their memorandum through his observations. The people pointing out that Chief Minister Digambar Kamat publicly assured a freeze on all SEZs, pending a decision threatened to take to the streets if the Government fails to withdraw the SEZ policy immediately and order an inquiry into allocation of land for SEZs. Those who took part were PMAS convenor Charles Fernandes, Francis Xavier Fernandes (panch, VP Verna), Sergio Fernandes (Sarpanch, VP Loutolim), Lourencine Gama (panch, VP Verna), Peter Gama (shareholder, Verna Communidade), Fr Eremito Rebello and Simon Carvalho of Sancoale and Peter DCosta of Loutolim. http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3786&cid=2 Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com
