Daijiworld Media Network - Goa (mb)
from special correspondent 

Panaji, Jan 6: Goa chief minister Digamber Kamat, whose government has scrapped all SEZs in the state, on Saturday declined to comment on the All India Congress Committee's (AICC) stand that the industrial enclaves were meant to provide employment to local people.

"I have no comment to share. Whatever I had to say I have told the union commerce minister Kamal Nath," Kamat stated.

The Congress' stand is at variance with the Congress-led coalition government in Goa's stand which had resolved to scrap 12 SEZs while recommending to de-notify three.

"AICC's stand is in general... It is nothing Goa-specific. .. whatever I want to say I have conveyed to the right person," Kamat, who had met the union commerce minister and got an assurance that SEZs would not be forced on Goa, said.

Goa, which had 15 SEZs planned for the state, saw a public outcry against these industrial enclaves. Political parties including BJP, Shiv Sena and NGOs like Goa's Movement Against SEZs and SEZ Virodhi Manch had begun agitation against SEZs in the state.

The Congress party, which initially agreed for three SEZs, had later joined the protest forcing the Chief Minister to declare scrapping of these enclaves on the eve of New Year.