Parrikar reiterates demand for probe into SEZ scam in Goa

Panaji, Oct 27 (UNI) BJP opposition leader Manohar Parrikar today reiterated his demand for a probe by crime branch, CID into the multi-crore scam in the allotment of plots for various Special Economic Zones (SEZ) benefiting the Congress functionaries.

Rubbishing Chief Minister Digambar Kamat's contention that the BJP is raising the issue in view of October 31 by-election to Mormugao Parliamentary Constituency, Mr Parrikar told mediapersons that all the SEZ's allotted in Goa, need to be scrapped as they were a drain on precious resources including water, electricity and land.

Alleging that the land allotments were made with the blessings of former Chief Minister Pratapsingh Rane to benefit Congress legislators including the current chairman of the State Industrial Development Corporation (SIDC)Chandrakant Kavlekar (MLA-Quepem), he said the issue needs a thorough probe.

The IDC had gone out of the way to benefit Kavlekar with land for opening a food park at Betul in south Goa, said Parrikar adding that he had all the documentary evidence to prove the alleged fraud in the land allotment in this and other areas.

The former Chief Minister, Mr Parrikar, had also named the power minister Alexieo Sequeira (director) and the IDC Managing Director, Mr Palekar, among others, for their alleged involvement in the scam.

Meanwhile, resistance has been mounting in Goa against the setting up of SEZ's as people fear that it will not only drain the already depleting resources like ground water and power, but also encourage influx of migrants changing the very demography of the already skewed tiny state.

The issue was brought yesterday to the notice of the Union Minister for Trade and Industry Kamal Nath, who however, maintained that the Centre had no jurisdiction over the land issue and the state had to take care of it.

Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, however, ruled out any probe into the SEZ land allotment issue but assured the opposition that he will examine all the related files after the by-election.

UNI