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Goa-lovers, take heart! The party is on
CNN-IBN
TimePublished on Thu, Dec 27, 2007 at 12:28, Updated at Thu, Dec 27,
2007 in Nation section
TagsTags: Goa, Anti-SEZ Movement , Panaji
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PARTY TIME: The comedown by anti-SEZ groups has ensured that there
will be no disruption of the New Year party.
PARTY TIME: The comedown by anti-SEZ groups has ensured that there
will be no disruption of the New Year party.
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Panaji: Goa lovers, take heart! The party will continue in Goa. The
BJP, which had been spearheading an anti-SEZ movement along with a
group of NGOs in the state and asked tourists to leave the state by
December 28, has decided to put off its agitation till January 1 in
view of the New Year revelry.
The decision comes hours before Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was
scheduled to arrive in Goa on a two-day visit later on Thursday. He
will inaugurate the Goa Broadband Network.
The Leader of the Opposition in Goa Assembly, Manohar Parikkar, has
said the future course of the agitation will now be decided only next
month. Chief Minister Digambar Kamat has, meanwhile, promised a great
time for tourists. He says his government is taking every step to
ensure their safety and peaceful festivities.
The Goa's Movement Against SEZs (GMAS) had earlier asked tourists to
leave the state before the New Year's Day as its agitation may take an
ugly turn. The anti-SEZ groups later clarified that they would not
agitate during the PM visit. "We have sought an appointment with the
Prime Minister to discuss SEZ issue. We are waiting for the reply,"
GMAS Organising Secretary Siddhanath Buyao said.
Taking no chance, the state police force has mounted security in and
around Panaji city with policemen being posted at every nook and
corner of this capital, which is full of with tourists.
GMAS, comprising the BJP and other bodies, has been demanding
scrapping of SEZ projects in the state. The Goa Government has
allotted about 1,500 acres of land for SEZs till now. The state has 16
SEZs, of which three are notified while four others have been
approved.
Chief Minister Digamber Kamat has already assured that the issue would
be settled taking all the stakeholders into confidence.
(With agency inputs)
