Salgaocar willing to buy CIPLA SEZ land for industry

Panaji, Dec 10 (UNI) Noted industrialist and independent MLA Anil Salgaocar today expressed his readiness to open an industry to benefit Goans, if the government is ready to transfer 12 lakh odd square metre land allocated to CIPLA at Keri in South Goa for running a special economic zone (SEZ) now under controversy.

''I am ready to buy the land allocated to CIPLA for Rs 130 crore as offered and start an industry. This will not only end the controversy surrounding the SEZ, but fulfill my ambition of providing Goans with adequate employment opportunities, medicare of higher quality and education,'' he told mediapersons.

Mr Salgaocar, who is also Chairman of the BJP-led Goa Democratic Alliance, said he also had plans to offer free medical service to the Goans, if the sick hospital at Ussagao under the state control was leased out or handed over to him.

The ESI Hospital, originally under the control of the Centre but subsequently handed over to the state government, could not be run on sound lines for want of adequate funds.

Congratulating the Digambar Kamat government for stopping the operations at all proposed SEZs and the Rajiv Gandhi IT Habitat following opposition by a section of politicians and NGOs, Mr Salgaocar extended his support to the government for developmental works in future so that SEZs could be abandoned in Goa to avoid further turmoil.

UNI