One more firm moves court on SEZ decision

PANJIM, APRIL 15 – One more writ petition has been filed in the High Court challenging Goa government’s decision to withdrew its recommendations on special economic zones (SEZs).Panchabhumi Infrastructure Pvt Ltd which had bought land at Zoswaddo-Socorro near Porvorim for a information technology (IT) park has moved the court following a show cause notice issued by the Central government.The petitioner has prayed for a writ seeking that no further action should be taken in pursuance of the show cause notice issued. The decision to issue show cause notice to SEZ projects which had not been approved by the Centre but not notified, was taken last month by the Board of Approvals of SEZ, Government of India.The notice was issued by the board stating as to why its permission to set up SEZ project at Socorro should not be cancelled in view of the State government’s decision.Counsel for the petitioner Harish Salve told the court that the State government had no business to withdraw recommendations. It may be recalled that the State government decided not to have SEZs and withdrew recommendations in a decision taken on December 31 2007 following public outcry on SEZs.The counsel for the petitioner fiercely objected to this stand of the State government . Hearing was adjourned till next week as the counsel for the Central government Joseph Vaz told the court that he would not be able to make a statement without instructions from the government. Hearing on the other petition which was filed by K Raheja’s — challenging the State government’s decision issuing work stoppage order for its proposed project at Verna— was also adjourned till June in view of the earlier order of the court.In its order on March 31, the court had directed the Central and the State governments to give its decision within six weeks over SEZs.
BY HERALD REPORTER
HERALD; Thursday, April 17, 2008