If you thought doors have been shut on SEZ (special economic zones) developers in Goa, you are mistaken.
Union Commerce Minister Kamal Nath reportedly wants Goa government to allow developers of three notified SEZs to set up some other industry on the land allotted to them.
In a new development on the SEZ front, Rajya Sabha MP Shantaram Naik on Saturday disclosed that Chief Minister Digambar Kamat was likely to call three SEZ developers, whose zones have been notified, for discussions over setting up any viable projects other than SEZs.
Naik mentioned that the Kamat is meeting these developers on the instruction of Union Commerce Minister Kamal Nath to explore viable options other than SEZs.
The three notified SEZs belong to Meditab Specialities Pvt Ltd, an associate of Cipla Ltd (for pharmaceuticals at Keri Ponda), Peninsular Pharma Research Centre Pvt Ltd (for biotechnology at Sancoale) and K Raheja Corp Pvt Ltd (for IT and enabled services at Verna).
Nath has also told these developers he would look into their proposal so as to help them set up their units in other States, Naik said.
“The developers had met Nath when the matter was pending in court to impress upon the commerce minister to negotiate for some other plots in Goa. It is very likely that their proposal may not be acceptable to us, but for industrialists having a plot in Goa is a matter of prestige,” he observed.
He recalled that the Attorney General had mentioned that there is no law or rule to de-notify the three SEZs. “Rule book is one thing and the ground reality is another. The ground realities don’t favour SEZs in Goa,” Naik impressed.
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