Justifying its stand on scrapping of Special Economic Zones projects in Goa, the state government has said the Centre has the power to denotify those which are not operational within the stipulated timeframe.
"During my talks with Union Commerce Minister Kamal Nath, he said that SEZ projects should be completed within a particular time or else the Centre has the power to denotify them," Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat told the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday.
The chief minister said the State government's stand on SEZs is very clear and there is no change in it.
12 SEZs have been scrapped in Goa while three zones are pending denotification. In all seven SEZ developers have filed cases in the Bombay High Court against the State govenment-run Goa Industrial Development Corporation's move to issue show cause notice to them seeking to revoke allotted land.
Earlier, Manohar Parrikar, leader of Opposition, had alleged that government was not seriously applying its mind over getting rid of SEZs.
Parrikar had said he does not doubt government's intention but felt that it is not serious on implementation.
Replying to the contention, Kamat said that there will be no laxity in defending the cases against SEZs in the court.
"We will engage best of lawyers in the country," he said. Kamat also added that he would examine the possibility whether GIDC can take back the land from SEZ developers under lease agreement.
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