from daijiworld's special correspondent (VM)

Panaji, Jan 24: The Goa government on Wednesday said that it would make 80 per cent employment for locals mandatory in the proposed special economic zones (SEZ) in the state.

“We will withdraw their (SEZ) permissions, if they do not adhere to 80 per cent employment to the locals rule,” Industries Minister, Luizinho Faleiro, assured the state legislative assembly.

The opposition members, however, ridiculed his statement saying that under the SEZ Act, 2005, the state has no control over such matters like employment in the zones.

“State has no control over SEZ. It is like a foreign territory,” leader of opposition Manohar Parrikar stated objecting to the minister’s statement, which he said “was misleading the house.”

The minister, however, stuck to his statement, that the government would not allow the SEZs in the state, if they do not adhere to the law of land making 80 per cent employment to the locals mandatory.

As per the reply obtained on the floor of the house, the state government is in process of acquiring land for proposed SEZs. The tourist state will have SEZs in Animation Studio, Information technology and Food processing sector.

Animation studio is proposed in North Goa’s Pilerne area spread over 1,71,050 square metres while IT park is planned at Sancoale village which will require 1,81,200 square metres land.

Two food parks are proposed in South Goa which will require 8, 83,576 square metres and 4, 28,155 square metres land, reads the reply.