Even as the INC led coalition Government braces up
with the first agenda for the New Year 2008 -- viz;
its role on the future of Special Economic Zones in
Goa --- it is now clear that the three SEZ's approved
are on the way to being recommended to the Central
Government for DENOTIFICATION as a New Year's eve Gift
to "aam aadmi".
Thus all SEZ's either in the public, private, joint
sector or set up by the Government of Goa will hence
forth not be set up in Goa.
This implies that Govt of Goa policy on SEZ's in the
State (under the SEZ Act 2005 and Rules 2006 notified
on 10th February, 2006, ) formulated by the then Shri
Pratapsing Raoji Rane Government will finally end up
as a closed chapter for the state.
An indication of this momentous decision to do away
with SEZ's which otherwise could have destroyed the
demographic compostion of this State with the sporadic
influx of outsiders in the State almost became
apparent when the Prime Minister of India Dr Manmohan
Singh while on a two day visit to the State on 27th
28th December, 2007 to inuagurate the Goa BroadBand
Network first Phase - WAN linkages stated in his
prepared speech --- " quote
.....Goa is a beautiful state. Although small in size,
it is blessed with extraordinary natural beauty. It
occupies a pride of place for its scenic beauty,
vibrant culture, tolerant tradition and forward
looking
people.
The warm and hospitable nature of its people has made
Goa one of the most sought after international tourist
destinations.
In many ways, Goa opened the door to large scale
tourism into our country. SIZE CAN HAVE ITS
LIMITATION. THE POTENTIAL FOR INDUSTRIALIZATION IN GOA
IS LIMITED. AFTER ALL, YOU NEED TO STRIKE A BALANCE
BETWEEN MAINTAINING YOUR PRISTINE NATURAL BEAUTY AND
THE NEEDS OF INDUSTRY.
Therefore, focusing on the services sector is a good
option for Goa's continued economic growth. Tourism
has been one success story....... unquote.
Clearly the PM seems to have been convinced that the
State was too delicate to be tampered with the nuances
of the 15 SEZs which were indeed "deemed foreign
territory".
After all tourism industry he noted was a success. But
he also announced several infrastructure schemes
worth over Rs. 1650 crores to enhance the economic
progress of the State and make it a Knowledge centre.
When this writer enquired telephonically this evening
with the Chief Secretary Shri J P Singh on the recent
developments viz; a possible New Year's eve
announcement on the denotification of the three SEZ's
and scrapping out all other proposals all he had to
say was that the Task force on Infrastructure
Development recently constituted to study the pros and
cons of the SEZ's by the Chief Minister of Goa Shri
Digambar Kamat was meeting tommorrow at 12 noon and a
decision would on then follow.
However it is clear that with the INC stand announced
by the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee President Mr
Francisco Sardinha MP Mormugao Parliamentary
Constituency yesterday, that the setting up of SEZ's
in its present form was not conducive to the State of
Goa the announcement is going to be a reality.
Attempts to ascertain this stand from the Chief
Minister were unsuccessful as the CM Governor and
politicos that matter were enroute South, to the South
Goa strongmans Constituency (Navelim) in Salcete to
attend the wedding reception of one of Churchill
Alemao's daughter's marriage. There were also reports
at the time of writing that Ms Priyanka Gandhi nee
Vadra daughter of Mrs Sonia Gandhi would be attending
the reception . It may be recalled that Mr Alemao has
a close relation with the Vadras. ( It is also
confirmed that Ms Priyanka will be ushering the New
Year's celebration from our tiny Goa along with
several other VVIPs.)
Agitationists should however not be complacent with
this news. The white paper on the SEZ's released
yesterday evening by the Government of Goa should be
pruned well to study the nitty gritty of the post SEZ
scenario as the Government could also covertly attempt
to promote the 18 manufacturing, services and trading
concerns, by further curtailing the land use and
allowing their development under the existing State
laws.
GODFREY J. I. GONSALVES,
BORDA, MARGAO, 403 602, GOA. (INDIA)
+91 98221 58584 (24 HRS)
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