Panaji, Dec 14 (UNI) Amid continuous agitation by various non-Congress parties and NGOs against the setting up of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Goa, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat said the Government would take appropriate decision after reviewing the situation.
Interacting with media persons after attending the Cabinet meeting today, the Chief Minister said that the Government was now reviewing all the infrastructure projects besides, discussing whether Goa should have SEZs or not, before taking the final decision soon.
''When the Government has power to notify or approve proposals to set up SEZs, it has equal power to denotify or disapprove them, if necessary,'' Mr Kamat said.
Chief Secretary J P Singh, he said, would submit a white paper on the SEZ issue by Monday which would be examined by a five-member Cabinet Committee. The Committee is headed by the Chief Minister himself.
Pending this, the Government has stopped all the work related to the SEZs. The Government has notified seven SEZs out of the 15 approved by the Centre.
Mr Kamat also clarified that the allottees of the land under SEZ projects could not sell the property but lease it out to willing parties under the law.
He said this with noted industrialist Anil Salgaocar (Independent MLA) approaching for transfer of land from CIPLA for Rs 130 crore to raise an industry to benefit Goans.
Meanwhile, Mr Kamat said that the Government would by next week be ready to clarify apprehensions raised by citizens agitating against the setting up of Rajiv Gandhi IT habitat after receiving a note on the issue from the director of the project.
The apprehensions were mainly related to construction of a shopping mall, residential quarters and theatres not included in the original project besides, supply of water and power to the project site.
At the same time, the Chief Minister maintained that the IT project was the best suited for states like Goa and its future generations and environment and hence the Government would take appropriate decision shortly.
UNI
Interacting with media persons after attending the Cabinet meeting today, the Chief Minister said that the Government was now reviewing all the infrastructure projects besides, discussing whether Goa should have SEZs or not, before taking the final decision soon.
''When the Government has power to notify or approve proposals to set up SEZs, it has equal power to denotify or disapprove them, if necessary,'' Mr Kamat said.
Chief Secretary J P Singh, he said, would submit a white paper on the SEZ issue by Monday which would be examined by a five-member Cabinet Committee. The Committee is headed by the Chief Minister himself.
Pending this, the Government has stopped all the work related to the SEZs. The Government has notified seven SEZs out of the 15 approved by the Centre.
Mr Kamat also clarified that the allottees of the land under SEZ projects could not sell the property but lease it out to willing parties under the law.
He said this with noted industrialist Anil Salgaocar (Independent MLA) approaching for transfer of land from CIPLA for Rs 130 crore to raise an industry to benefit Goans.
Meanwhile, Mr Kamat said that the Government would by next week be ready to clarify apprehensions raised by citizens agitating against the setting up of Rajiv Gandhi IT habitat after receiving a note on the issue from the director of the project.
The apprehensions were mainly related to construction of a shopping mall, residential quarters and theatres not included in the original project besides, supply of water and power to the project site.
At the same time, the Chief Minister maintained that the IT project was the best suited for states like Goa and its future generations and environment and hence the Government would take appropriate decision shortly.
UNI
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