SEZs could double Goa's population: Mahadev

PTI, PANAJI | 24 July 2012 21:03 IST

Goa government today said that allowing special economic zones (SEZs) would have doubled the population of the state from the existing 1.4 million.

"The SEZs would have generated jobs which would have led to large-scale influx of people in Goa and it is within realm of possibilities that the population Goa would have been doubled," state Industries Minister Mahadeo Naik told the Legislative Assembly.

Goa scrapped its SEZ policy in 2007 following massive protests by civil society groups.

The government is yet to revert back the land admeasuring 38,40,886 sq mts which was allotted to seven SEZs.

Naik told the Assembly that Goa had already seen public unrest over SEZs and it was certain that peace and tranquility would be a casualty if SEZs were allowed to set foot in the state.

The minister said allowing SEZ would have threatened the identity of Goa and disturbed the peace.

"It was further observed that seven approved applications required about 250 MW of power, which could not be provided by the government," Naik stated.

He said the water requirement of about 16 MLD could not be immediately met.

Naik also made it clear to the House that the land meant for SEZ would not be given to the company but would revert back to the Industrial Development Corporation.

The process of reverting the land back to the IDC however would take time, he said, due to the lengthy procedure set by the Supreme Court. 


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