GMAS threaten to intensify stir, if SEZs are not scrapped

Panaji, Apr 19 (UNI) Goa's Movement Against SEZs (GMAS) has threatened to intensify its agitation if the SEZs are not fully scrapped in the state.

GMAS Convenor Matanhy Saldanha stated that the decision had been taken at its general body meeting and said under no circumstances can the government of Goa take the emboldened behaviour of the SEZ promoters lying down.

GMAS also demanded that the Goa government should take the best legal counsel to protect the interest of the people and get the SEZ menace out of the state.

Mr Saldanha also stated that GMAS has urged the SEZ promoters to voluntarily give up their SEZ dreams in order to avoid further crisis in the state.

Mr Saldanha said GMAS discussed the controlled increase in concretization of virtually every hill in Goa and these projects are being erected either with surrogate applicants of tenanted land which are de facto sold. This is in total violation of the tenancy act and GMAS had demanded that all such lands that are illegally utilized for any activity other than agriculture or horticulture need to be confiscated.

UNI SRN DB AG1325