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SEZs detrimental to Goa: Task Force

NT Staff Reporter

Panaji, Dec 30 The Task Force - Regional Plan 2021 constituted by the government, presented its report to the Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat, yesterday recommending that “the special economic zones are detrimental to the overall interest of Goa” and “the state should go for an integrated approach of development.”

“The intention of permitting SEZs which is that of industrialisation and consequent employment generation can be served without SEZs, if incentives are extended to incoming industries,” the report observed, adding, “The required industrial development can be achieved if government focuses on providing excellent infrastructure in terms of roads, water and power to incoming industrial units.”

The Task Force, which is looking into the preparation of the Regional Plan 2021, has recommended six pilot projects to be undertaken in equal number of villages around the state, besides in three municipal jurisdictions, as regards chalking out a comprehensive plan for these areas, governed by the 73rd and 74th amendments to the Constitution.

The plan for these pilot projects is expected to be ready by April 2008, and further used as a base for the Regional Plan 2021.

The vice-chairman of the Task Force, Mr Charles Correa, addressing a press conference this evening in the presence of the Task Force members said, “The report has perceived that Goa will not have a substantial revenue benefit by means of direct and indirect taxes through SEZs.”

“The state will have to incur expenditure to provide for infrastructure outside the SEZ area such as roads and other services,” he said, pointing out “also the state will be liable to provide for services such as water and power within the SEZ, in case the developer fails to do so, and this would be an additional burden on the state exchequer.”

Mr Correa maintained that the employment benefit derived through SEZs will not accrue largely to locals and it will lead to large-scale migration of people thereby causing pressure on land and resources.

“A huge amount of land has been blocked for product-specific SEZs which seem to have invested on seemingly speculative grounds without specific data and analysis, for a large period of time, without any government control,” Mr Correa said, “This will deprive genuine entrepreneurs and companies which require land for setting up industrial units which are not product-specific and not dependent on government incentives.”

Speaking further Mr Correa said the entire process of land allotment to SEZs has also to be seen in light of government’s role in land acquisition for government projects of ‘public purpose’ vis-a-vis

See SEZs, P18

allotment of government acquired land to private developers. “The process of permitting SEZs in Goa is in conflict with the letter and spirit of the 73rd amendment to the Constitution,” he added.

Mr Correa observed that the process of land acquisition by the government from private parties for private parties is highly dangerous as Goa is too small state for intervention.

Stating that a comprehensive plan for nine selected areas -- six village panchayat areas and three municipal areas -- would work as a dry test for the Regional Plan 2021, Mr Correa maintained that a budgetary allocation has already been made for the same.

“This is an important movement for planning, not only for Goa but as a role model for the country,” the Task Force vice-chairman stated, mentioning that public transport, education, and job generation should all be interconnected in a structural plan of any region.

“Yesterday it was Regional Plan 2011, today it is SEZ, tomorrow it may be something else under a different label,” Mr Correa said, adding that the people must know what Goa wants to have in the state Regional Plan.

Replying to a question, Mr Correa said the recommendations in the report are not binding on the state government as the Task Force has no statutory powers.

Answering another question, he said the government will have to decide about the fate of the land handed over to private parties and developers for the SEZs.

The advisor to the government of Goa on urban issues, Mr Edgar Ribeiro, who is another member of the Task Force, speaking on the occasion said the Goa Industrial Development Corporation should fall within the purview of the Goa Town and Country Planning Act, which in turn should be in the forefront in the Regional Plan 2021, and should not be visible during a later dialogue.

The comprehensive plan for the pilot projects will be concerned with the settlement of the people in the areas, and these people may have to face certain constraints like a highway or a rail line passing through the respective areas, he informed.

Mr Ribeiro also said that some amendments might be needed to the existing legislations while preparing the Regional Plan 2021.

Another member of the Task Force and convener of the Goa Bachao Abhiyan, Dr Oscar Rebello said that GBA is just an idea which represents the fact that power of the people is supreme.

“The people’s representation in letter and spirit vis-à-vis the 73rd and 74th amendment to the Constitution is important while formulating the new Regional Plan,” he remarked, pointing out, “the people should get what they want.”

A representative of the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr Blaise Costabir, another member of the Task Force, said that there is a misconception that the Chamber is behind the setting up of the SEZs in Goa. “In fact,” he revealed, “the allotment of land was recommended by the then Industries Minister.”

Yet another Task Force member, Mr Datta Naik said the non-availability of affordable housing is the main problem in Goa, which could be solved if the willing local land developers/construction companies are provided with land by the government at an affordable rate.

The other members of the Task Force, Mr Dean D’Cruz and Mr Rahul Deshpande were also present at the briefing.

The Task Force, during past two months met a number of people including those who were connected with the proposed SEZs in the state, officials of the GIDC, elected representatives, heads of various government departments, NGOs and individuals, and sought information as well as their views on the SEZs.

The submissions made by the GIDC team were also analysed in minute detail and the implications of the SEZs on Goa were deliberated upon, it was informed.

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