The Central Government has finally given its verdict over setting up of special economic zone (SEZs) policy and stood firm on not denotifying any of the three SEZs approved for Goa. These include pharma major Cipla's Meidtab Specialities, Raheja's IT/ITeS SEZ and Peninsula Pharma's biotech SEZ.
Goa government that remained adamant about not housing any SEZs in Goa will surely find itself at loggerheads with the center. A concerning matter, however, is the fact that if the SEZ projects are put to a halt, the state Government will have no other alternative but to compensate to the developers. Besides, the promoters of the SEZs may even file a case against the state Government.
Chief Minister of Goa is expected to visit New Delhi to hold a meeting with Commerce and Industry Minister to discuss over this issue.
The four remaining SEZs, which had been formally approved but not notified, could be cancelled. These include Inox Mercantile's biotech SEZ, Paradigm Logistics IT/ITeS SEZ, Panchbhoomi Infrastructure's IT SEZ and Planetview Mercantile's gems & jewellery SEZ.
West Bengal, Maharashtra and Haryana have also vehemently protested against individual SEZs but the widespread political agitation in Goa remains to be the most irrefutable one.