Goa Congress against SEZ projects Special Correspondent "It is not in the interest of Goans"
PANAJI: The movement against the special economic zone (SEZ) projects received a major boost on Saturday with a committee set up by the ruling Congress expressing a view that establishing the SEZ projects was not in the interest of Goa and Goans. Heavy influx of people Goa Pradesh Congress president Francisco Sardinha, south Goa MP, said the committee has stated that the SEZs would lead to heavy influx of people from other States and could adversely impact on tourism of the State by causing severe demographic distortions. The committee has expressed the view that tourism being the mainstay of Goan economy, it could not co-exist with heavy industrialisation. Prevent sale of land to outsiders The Goa Pradesh Congress Committee, at its meeting here on Saturday, decided to direct the government to take steps to prevent large scale sale and transfer of land to non-Goans. Disclosing this, Mr. Sardinha said the Congress has decided to ask the government not to acquire land for any SEZs or for any individuals other than for public purposes or meant for public utilities and infrastructure. http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/30/stories/2007123054381000.htm ~(^^)~ Avelino
