To Goanet - Press Release from Goa's Movement Against SEZs April 18, 2008
After its general body meeting held in Panjim today, GMAS said that under no circumstances can the Government of Goa take the emboldened behavior of the SEZ promoters lying down. GMAS demands that the Goa Government should take the best legal counsel to protect the interests of the people of Goa and get the SEZ menace out of Goa, failing which the Government of Goa alone shall be held responsible. GMAS also decided that if the SEZs are not canceled in the state of Goa, it will be forced to intensify its movement. GMAS calls upon all the SEZ promoters to voluntarily give up their SEZ dreams in Goa in order to avoid further crisis in the state. The Goa Government should listen to the voice of the people of Goa and immediately rescind the decision to give any land to the SEZ promoters or to any private businesses in future. At the same time, GMAS demands that the Goa Government should immediately notify private forests that are being depleted or misused. GMAS also discussed the uncontrolled increase in concretization of virtually every hill in Goa. Unfortunately, it has been learnt that many of these projects are being erected either with surrogate applicants of tenanted land which are de facto sold. This is in total violation of the Tenancy Act. GMAS demands that all such lands that are illegally utilized for any activity other than agriculture or horticulture have to be confiscated. At the meeting, a letter sent to Chief Minister Digambar Kamat on April 4, 2008, seeking clarification of any action he has taken so far on the communication of the Board of Approvals of SEZs was discussed. Till date GMAS has not received any response from the Chief Minister. In view of the same, GMAS has decided to seek an appointment with the Chief Minister to find out the present position of the Goa Government. Matanhy Saldanha Convenor
