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Task Force report will be helpful for govt, says CM

NT Staff Reporter

Panaji, Dec 30 The Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat said the report presented to him yesterday by the Task Force - Regional Plan 2021 as regards the proposed special economic zones in the state, would be helpful to the government while reaching any decision on the issue.

The Chief Minister is the chairman of the Task Force - Regional Plan 2021.

Speaking to ‘The Navhind Times’ this evening, Mr Kamat said, “I had requested the Task Force members to come out with their assessment on SEZs and they attended some presentations on the issue.”

“The Task Force team has done a very good job,” he remarked, pointing out that the report would help him in reaching a decision on SEZs.

Mr Kamat brushed aside the observation that the stand of the Goa pradesh Congress committee against the SEZs had come a little late yesterday evening, especially after the Task Force report had already concluded that the SEZs are detrimental to the overall interest of Goa.

“The GPCC president, Mr Francisco Sardinha had already set up a committee to look into various aspects as related to the SEZs,” the Chief Minister observed, adding that the demand of the GPCC may have come after the study carried out by this committee.

Our Margao Bureau adds: In an attempt to gather views and perception of local political parties and other stakeholders on the contentious SEZ issue, the Chief Minister on Sunday called and met a delegation of the United Goans Democratic Party, the Maharastrawadi Gomantak Party and the Shiv Sena at his residence in Margao.

The representatives of all the three parties urged the Chief Minister to scrap SEZs in the interest of people of Goa.

Besides SEZs, the UGDP also demanded scrapping of IT Habitat at Dona Paula and Food Park at Quitol.

“IT Habitat and Food Park are nothing but SEZs with a different nomenclature,” the acting UGDP president, Mr Radharao Gracias said.

“If government is at all interested to convert Goa, into an IT hub, why choose prime land at Dona Paula? Government should buy land at a cheaper price to establish IT-related industries,” he told this paper.

Besides making a strong demand for scrapping of SEZs, the MGP president, Mr Pandurang Raut emphasised the need to frame a new industrial policy for the state.

He urged the government to focus on employment-oriented industries and those that are suitable for Goans.

Submitting a memorandum to the Chief Minister opposing SEZs in the state, the Shiv Sena urged the government not to convert any land earmarked for SEZs into an industrial estate for this would amount to deceiving the people of Goa.

The Sena representatives declared that they were part of the Goa’s Movement Against SEZ and would back GMAS crusade against the SEZ issue.

After giving a patient hearing to the party representatives, the Chief Minister said that almost all the parties in Goa were unanimous in opposing SEZs.

Everyone’s views will be taken into account and government will take an appropriate decision in the matter, he disclosed.

The Chief Minister will be meeting representatives of SEZ Virodhi Manch at his official residence on Monday.

On Saturday, the Chief Minister had met the leader of opposition, Mr Manohar Parrikar and the convenor of Goa’s Movement Against SEZ, Mr Mathany Saldanha.

The UGDP delegation that met the Chief Minister comprised of Mr Radharao Gracias, Mr Anacleto Viegas and Mr Prashant Naik.

The MGP was represented by its president, Mr Pandurang Raut, the vice-president, Mr Vasant Satardekar, the general secretary, Mr R Mardolkar and five others.

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Task Force report will be helpful for govt, says CM

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