NCP expresses fears on proposed SEZ in Goa

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) is of the opinion that the proposed SEZ in Goa may not interest people of the state.

The party blamed that the matter involves a lot of lobbying from various electoral constituencies.

"There is no way to ensure implementation of 80 per cent reservation for Goans," said Surendra Furtado, general-secretary, NCP.

"The purpose of the SEZ is to attract EOUs (export oriented units) by availing the existing benefits, but the decision makers should consider past experiences where industries closed after availing benefits," he said.

The NCP leader further said that 25 gem and jewellry units have closed in St Cruz Export Promoting Zone (EPZ) and expressed fears that SEZ in Goa may experience a similar fate.

Furtado pointed out that an environment impact assessment, which is an elaborate and comprehensive procedure, was done hurriedly and warned that waste disposal would be a critical problem with the SEZ in place.adding to the existing woes of garbage disposal.