Daijiworld Media Network - Goa (mb)
from special correspondent
 
Panaji, Jan 6: Although union minister of commerce Kamal Nath's stand that centre cannot thrust special economic zones (SEZS) on the state has come as a breather for Digamber Kamat led government, the opposition in the state is in no mood to let government go away on the issue.
 
"SEZ will be a major issue in the ensuing state legislative assembly session.. We will put the state government on mat on the issue," leader of opposition Manohar Parrikar stated.

Goa state legislative assembly session will begin in the state in the second week of January.

The main opposition, BJP, has demanded inquiry into the land allotment to these SEZs, which, according to them, happened in a fraudulent way. "Government should hold officials of Goa Industrial Development corporation (GIDC) responsible for the land allotments done in fraudulent manner," Parrikar said.

The BJP has already made it clear that they will be filing a criminal complaint against state government run GIDC seeking thorough investigation into the land allotments.

The western state had scrapped 12 SEZs, while it has written to the centre to de-notify three industrial enclaves. After initial reluctance, the union commerce ministry on Thursday made it clear that the centre cannot thrust SEZs on the states.

Anti-SEZ activists, including Goa's Movement Against SEZs, has appealed all the parties who rallied behind them in opposing SEZs to raise the issue on the floor of the house.

"The political parties' representatives should take the issue in the assembly," GMAS convenor Mathany Saldanha has said.

Besides BJP, Congress, NCP, Shiv Sena, and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak party (MGP) had expressed their opposition to these zones in the state.