The Hindu : National : Centre won’t impose SEZs against Goa’s wishes: Chief Minister

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Sunday, Jan 06, 2008
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Centre won’t impose SEZs against Goa’s wishes: Chief Minister

Special Correspondent

Satisfied with discussions with Kamal Nath

Digambar Kamat

PANAJI: The Centre will not thrust upon Goa any special economic zone (SEZ) against the wishes of the State and its people. Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, who returned from New Delhi on Friday, got this assurance from Union Commerce Minister Kamal Nath.

Mr. Kamat told The Hindu that he was very much satisfied with his discussions with the Minister in New Delhi on Thursday. Shantaram Naik, MP and Goa Chief Secretary J. P. Singh were present at the meeting.

Mr. Naik said Mr. Nath had asked the Chief Minister to give a representation in writing citing the grounds for seeking de-notification, which, the Commerce Ministry would examine.

Ground realities

Mr. Naik said the Minister was of the view that no SEZ could function if a State government and the people were against it, and therefore, ground realities were relevant in such matters.

Putting to rest the controversy over lack of powers to the SEZ Board to de-notify an SEZ in response to a State government’s withdrawal of its earlier recommendation, Mr. Naik said an authority which had power to issue a notification had inherent power to withdraw it and that no specific provision was required for that purpose.

Mr. Naik did not see any need to amend any provisions of the SEZ Act.

‘Misrepresented facts’

Mr. Naik said the notified SEZ applicants had misrepresented facts regarding requirement of land, environment hazards, employment potential, etc.

As such they could not seek any relief from the State government for reversing its decision.

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