GOA GOVERNMENT AND SEZS
While the Goa Government has on SEZs shown some spine And certainly, vis-à-vis the Central government taken a firm line It remains to be seen if it will be just as firm In other matters, and equally resolutely affirm Its determination, and giving in to vested interests decline - Shanti Dhoot RE: *GOA: SEZS SCRAPPED, DEVELOPERS TO FEEL THE HEAT* Ketki Angre NDTV Sunday, June 15, 2008 (Goa) A day after the Goa government scrapped all seven Special Economic Zones in the state; the Centre is worried about its impact on investors and the future of other SEZs in the country. But Goa's ruling Congress is defiant. Verna is one of the three notified SEZs in the state. Four others will also be affected because of this decision. In all, the seven SEZs occupy an area of over 35 lakh square metres. The SEZ developers that will now face the heat include K Raheja Corporation, Cipla's Meditab Specialties Private Limited and Peninsula Pharma Research Centre among others. Goa had seen widespread local agitation against SEZs last year. This has further strengthened the resolve of locals. ''We welcome this move, but the government should look at this as an opportunity to investigate the large scale corruption and land grab which has happened as a result,'' said Charles Fernandes, SEZ *Virodhi Manch*. For the Congress, the decision of its own government comes as a huge embarrassment. According to sources, the Centre will try to persuade the Goa government to reconsider and if not, affected SEZ developers can always approach the courts. http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=T&ct=us/2-0&fd=R&url=http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080053086&ch=6/15/2008%209:03:00%20AM&cid=1222101916&ei=_KVVSKXyKonmggPe34jFBw&usg=AFQjCNHJ9mOBKFOmhJtNPEPKFG82ilZEbA
