GOA'S MOVEMENT AGAINST S E Z s P. BOX 242, Panjim - Goa Ph: 2222273, 9822160941
Ref: SEZ/02/07 Date: 05.11.2007 FACTS ON GOA: Goa is the smallest state of India, with highest population density per square kilometer. The area of the state of Goa is 3702 square kms. Goa's population presently is around 14 lacs, of which the migrant population is around 5 lacs. Growth pf population is 1.4 % Unemployed on the live register at the Employment Exchange is 83,000 - 1,00,000. Electricity: Presently the state of Goa has a deficit of 175 MW without SEZs. Water: The deficit in water is estimated to be 215 MLD without SEZs. Raw materials available in Goa : Low grade iron ore and may be coconut and areca nut. SEZs in GOA: No. of applications received by the Goa Government for setting up SEZs is 18. Of these 7 SEZs are approved by the Board of Approval, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, under the recommendations from the Government of Goa. Of these seven , 2 are notified by the Government of Goa. Another 8 are forwarded by the Government of Goa for approval by the Government of India. Besides, another 3 are being processed. LOCATION OF SEZs. Approved SEZs: Keri (Ponda), Sancoale (Mormugao), 4- SEZs in Verna and 1 SEZ in Socorro (Bardez). Forwarded for approval SEZs: Taleigao (Tiswadi), Socorro (Bardez), Colvale (Bardez), Betul (Salcete), Verna (Salcete), Guleli (Sattari), Loliem (Canacona) and Pernem. SEZs being processed: Quitol (Quepem), Panjim (Tiswadi) and Zuari Nagar, Sancoale (Mormugao). LAND REQUIREMENTS: Land required for the 7 approved SEZs - 373.16 hectares or 37,31,600 Sq. mtrs. Land required for 8 SEZs forwarded for approval is 611.41 hectares or 61,14,100 Sq. mtrs. Land required for additional two SEZs being processed is 216.20 hectares or 21,62,000 Sq. mtrs. Land required for third SEZ being processed is not specified. Total land requirement for 17 SEZs is 1200.77 hectares or 120,07,700 Sq mtrs (without the area for the 18th SEZ being processed). EMPLOYMENT: Employment to be generated in the 7 approved SEZs is 3,12,000 jobs. Employment to be generated in the 8 SEZs forwarded for approval by Goa Govt. is 5,87,500 jobs. Employment to be generated in the 2 out of 3 SEZs being processed is 27,600 jobs. Total employment generated in the 17 SEZs will be 9,27,100 jobs. Let us assume that all 80,000 -1,00,000 registered at the employment exchange presently are employed in the SEZs. Goa lacks in skilled as well as unskilled labour force. Where will the remaining 8,27,100 come from? In all present industrial estates, 80% of the employees are migrants. The same applies to the Services Industry. Besides, no Government, State or Central, can assure jobs in the SEZs. Why is the Government lying? Obviously therefore, the remaining 8,27,100 will come from all the other states in the country and overseas. Each individual getting a job in t he SEZs will not come alone but along with his family which may number 4-5 in a family. Therefore the total influx of population into the state of Goa once the SEZs are operational will be around 33,08,400. Can Goa contain and sustain this kind of population explosion? As per the SEZ policy, the state Government, before recommending any proposals for SEZs to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, it must ensure that it is in a position to supply basic inputs like water, electricity and necessary infrastructure. How is Goa government going to provide electricity for the 2/7/18 SEZs and for the domestic needs of the increased population, when presently there is a deficit of 175 MW? How does the government intend to fulfill the water requirement when presently there is a deficit of 215 MLD? Where will the government accommodate this ridiculous increase in population? How will the government make arrangements for housing? Or will the government allow proliferation of slums? How does the government intend to cope with the garbage that will be generated, not to talk about 'Hazardous Wastes"?? The government has no say whatsoever in the administration and functioning of the SEZs. How does it intend to control the law and order situation within the state, arising due to increased population? SEZs are free from environmental laws and are exempted from public hearing under Environment Impact Assessment Notification. So how does the government inted to control the pollution aspect arising due to the SEZs? How will the government keep the polluting industries out of the SEZs? By statute the GIDC cannot sell land. It can only lease land. How is it that the GIDC is selling land to entrepreneurs to set up SEZs in Goa as in the case of Verna and Keri? BENEFITS FOR GOA FROM SEZs: · Loss of scarce land resources. · Loss of identity and culture. · Loss of revenue for the state as SEZs are exempted from all forms of taxes. · Pollution of environment, land, air and water. · Further decrease in water and electricity supply to the locals adding to their woes. · Depletion of ground water due to bore wells. · Destruction of forest land. · Mountains of garbage everywhere. · Rivers, nullahs and creeks used for dumping hazardous effluents using night cover. · Increased congestion of the existing roads leading to traffic jams, more accidents and air pollution. The above stat ed facts clearly indicate that SEZs are nothing but a land-grab scam by the government of Goa for its influential friends. There are no benefits whatsoever, either for the people of Goa nor the state. It is the bounden duty of every Goan to dight tooth and nail and oppose these SEZs which spell pure and unadulterated exploitation of the people of Goa, destruction of land, its identity and culture. Rise up people of Goa, Fight for your land ! Sd/- (Matanhy Saldanha) Convener. A REPORT: A meeting was called through invitations to discuss the above agenda at the Panjim Residency, at 5 p.m. on 5 November, 2007 (today). This was to be the gathering of political parties, NGOs and individuals. Present were (Political Parties/their representatives) - UGDP , BJP, GSRP, CPI(M), MGP - (NGOs) Utt Goenkara, Bailamcho Ekvott, Goa Foundation, Peoples Movement Against SEZs -PMAS, PMCA, various and numerous individuals and concerned citizens and press & electronic media. Prominent individuals present were Manohar Parrikar, Dr. Wilfred Mesquita & his daughter, Nirmala Sawant, Aires Rodrigues, Simon Carvalho (Sanquale), Nelson Fernandes, Auda Viegas, Matanhy Saldanha & wife Alina, Claude Alvares, Christopher Fonseca, M.V. Kamat, Mr. Ashok, Soter D'Souza, Adv. Gopal Tamba, and many many others whose names will be omitted for reason of space. It has been decided that enough is enough and that the Anti-SEZ, Anti-FTZ (Free Trade Zones), IT Parks, Food Parks etc must be fought tooth and nail through a people's movement which will NOT be classified as NON-POLITICAL (like the GBA) An Executive Committee has been elected along with an advisory committee. All the representing political parties are represented on the Executive Committee along with the NGOs and some prominent individuals. The first salvo from this movement will be a MEMORANDUM to the Chief Minister of Goa to freeze all SEZs (notified or non-notified) through writing to the Central Government to that effect latest by 20 November, 2007. Failing which, massive action will be taken against the government. That RP-2001 should be the basis for the preparation of RP-2021 and as such all notifications etc for SEZs done through RP-2011 must be frozen until RP-2021 is notified. The Executive is next Meeting on 7th Nov., 2007 for ratifying the MEMORANDUM. floriano goasuraj ----------------------------------------------------------------- GOA needs a 'REVOLUTION' if it is to see better days. Goasuraj is that revolution. Support it. email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Website: www.goasu-raj.org
