the goan I network
MARGAO
Condemning the decision of the government to drop SEZ scam cases pending with ACB, the SEZ Virodhi Manch has reminded it was Manohar Parrikar himself as Chief Minister in 2012 who had assured Goans that he would ensure that the persons involved in the several hundred crores land-allotment scam would be brought to book.
Manch working president Franky Monteiro pointed out that the SEZ-affected villagers have also filed a counter appeal in the Supreme Court praying for accountability from the persons involved in the SEZ land allotment scam and also prayed that the SEZ lands should be returned to the original owners. “This appeal of the villagers has been admitted and hence even if the government settles the claim of the SEZ promoters, the appeal of the villagers still subsists and shall be contested,” he said.
In a statement, Franky said it now becomes clear that the FIR was filed against unknown persons only to keep away the Damocles sword hanging on the heads of the politicians. He said the judgement of the Bombay HC in November 2010 had clearly implicated GIDC officials and politicians involved in the scam. The court had categorically stated: “Such huge lands which are public properties were allotted for the asking of the said companies in a manner not known to law.”
Saying the decision to drop the scam cases once the settlement with SEZ promoters to unlock the SEZ land is completed is unacceptable, Franky said “one fails to understand how the rules of law applicable to the common man are bent and broken when it comes to politicians and bureaucrats.” SEZ Virodhi Manch has deplored the decision of the government to readily pay Rs 256 crore of public money to five SEZ promoters to settle their claim.
“The SEZ promoters in connivance with GIDC officials and politicians had secured the lands at throw-away rates and hence should not be paid the demanded money. Such money, if at all paid, should be recovered from the persons involved in the illegal scam. So, there is all the more reason for the government to pursue the SEZ scam cases. The government of the day appears to be in a hurry to release the land so that once again they can make money in re-allotment of the vast tracts of lands,” Franky added.
