PRESS RELEASE: Over 80 activists of the SEZ Virodhi Manch (SVM) stood in silent protests for at the approach road of the Mandovi Bridge. The silent protest sought to draw the attention of the MLAs to walk the talk during the Assembly sessions. Placards, posters and banners were held by the protestors.
The SEZ Virodhi Manch (SVM) is pained with the attitude of the Government of not withdrawing the State SEZ Policy, despite making tall claims indicating its opposition to SEZs in Goa. This inaction clearly exposes that the Govt. is not functioning in the interests of the people and is facilitating backdoor entry to the SEZs. The Govt. has not issued fresh show cause notices though it assured the public to do so when it voluntarily withdrew the stop work orders (to the concerned SEZ promoters), in the High Court, due to technical snags. The Government has not registered the case against GIDC officials in the fraudulent allotment of land to SEZ promoters filed in October 2007. On the contrary, when people of the affected villagers went to peacefully stop the work at the Raheja SEZ site in Verna, the police admitted false cases against innocent villagers. SVM reiterates its early demands of CBI Inquiry into the irregularities of the entire land allotment procedure including possible irregular graft. SVM demands immediate withdrawal/de-notification of SEZ policy and immediate issuing of show cause notices to SEZ promoters to stop work. Similarly Govt must initiate immediate penal action against SEZ promoters who have sunk bore wells without any permission. The Govt. must also disconnect supply of power to the fraudulent SEZ at Kerim. Moreover Govt. must stop all Private Power Operators from supplying electricity to illegal industries of whatever form. The SVM warns the Government not to take the patience of the people for granted. The SVM resolves to struggle till the very end to ensure that Goa Govt does not compromise the interests of the people who are committed to preventing the fraudulent SEZs from destroying Goa. Yours truly Charles Fernandes Convenor- SVM -- SEZ VIRODHI MANCH [EMAIL PROTECTED] visit: http://amkanakasez.blogspot.com
