HC orders SEZ land back to Govt
GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 26 November 2010 21:16 IST
In a landmark decision, the Goa bench of Bombay high court today dismissed the petition by SEZ (Special Economic Zone) developers, challenging the government decision to take back the possession of the land allotted to them.
Following a public outcry, chief minister Digambar Kamat had decided to scrap all the SEZs in Goa. The state government had also scrapped its state SEZ policy.
Accordingly, the state had begun the process of taking back the possession of the land allotted to them.
The court has also called allotment of the land by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) of Goa government illegal.
The central government, based on the recommendation of the state government, had earlier notified three SEZs. In addition, five more SEZs were approved by the union government.
The IDC had accordingly allotted land to the developers in Keri (Ponda), Verna and Sancoale.
The court in its landmark judgement stated that the land allotment was illegal. The court has also directed the government not to allot land to SEZ in future.
The court however has stated that the SEZ developers could apply for land to set up other projects other than SEZ.
The next most lucrative business would be to set up mega housing projects on the land to attract international customers willing to buy houses in Goa at whatever price! There would be many willing entrepreneurs to take up this project! I The platforms like the IFFI could be used to advertise such noble projects?
I sometimes think that when the politicians are so adept and innovative at circumventing all known rules, what on earth is the need for bureaucrats and technocrats, who anyway are at the beck and call and at the mercy of their bosses?
If nothing works ordinances can be passed, at will. I might not be entirely wrong,if I think, when they are on the roll of the Ali Baba, the first thing they do is look at records for vacant land and what they can do with it.
The scams come to light only when things start falling into place.