from Special Correspondent
for Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji (GA)

Pan, Feb 1: Clarifying that Goa's opposition to the special economic zones in the state was not an indication of state's reluctance to accept developmental projects, Goa chief minister Digamber Kamat said that `SEZs in Goa were opposed on the land allotment issue and not as an opposition to industrialization.'

"There were lot of apprehensions in the minds of people on SEZs. The public sentiments were that the land was being given to the companies at throw-away price," Kamat, who scrapped 12 SEZs and sought centre's help in denotifying three more, on New Year eve, said in a seminar in south Goa.

The chief minister was addressing a seminar on 'Visioning Goa over the next decade: work in progress', jointly organized by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and UK-based City of London corporation.

The seminar discussed role of public private participation (PPP) in developing and maintaining infrastructural projects in India.

Kamat welcomed any proposals in the field of health and education in the state.

In a thick of controversy over SEZs, the chief minister said "land is a crucial issue in the tiny state like Goa. People's sentiments are more stronger. That is the reason we have to go cautiously on this front.'

Stressing for projects in educational and health field, Kamat said that the state will accept these non-polluting projects. "Goa is already well-placed in these sectors. The state can perform well, if it gets enough support,'' the chief minister added.

He said that if government follows proper transparent procedures, then, there should not be any problem in getting the projects cleared from the public scrutiny.

Kamat said that Goa is thinking of setting up advisory group, which will deliberate state's prospects in availing PPP mode for infrastructure upgradation. "Goa is already world famous tourist destination attracting 28 lakh visitors. We would not be able to sustain this growth if infrastructure is not up to the limit," the chief minister said.

The one-day seminar had the participation of City of London officials along with the state government top brass participating and deliberating on state's prospects in PPP. 

Micheal Synder, chairman of policy of resources committee, city of London along with Alang Rosling, chairman, city of London India advisory council and Dr Ajay Kumar, senior manager, World Bank presented their papers for the seminar.