TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: A major altercation broke out between the Congress MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco and Industries Minister Mahadev Naik, with Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar stepping in to bail out the latter, on alleged backdoor deals with Special Economic Zone promoters.
Reginaldo in his typical style accused the government of trying to make a “back door” deal with the SEZ promoters to which the industries minister took offence at the terms used.
However, Reginaldo refused to retreat saying that the government is on record on the 30-70 breakup.
“I want a clear-cut stand on the issue…. The High Court had called the allotment illegal. Supreme Court has not given a stay. Why should we take this stand,” he demanded.
Mahadev Naik shot back saying, “The matter is sub-judice. We don’t know how long it will take. CM has given a suggestion about what is in our mind.”
Reginaldo on the other hand refused to withdraw his demand and pushed for a definite answer: “Clear cut or not – or are you going to fight it tooth and nail? Why should we give SEZ promoters 30% land? Promoters of SEZs and promoters of casinos are the same.”
This riled up the chief minister who reacted adversely, “Scandals – Scandals they (Congress) have done and we have to resolve the same. We are looking at options,” Parrikar intervened to shoot back at the Congress. “They (promoters) have deposited money. That has to be refunded…. If we want to fight in SC, it may take 10 years.”
The chief minister also said that there was a second issue. “The issue has to be worked out. When you do a compromise, you will have to give too, not only take,” the chief minister said adding, “definitely, I will take some people involved into confidence.”
“The matter is before the court. I will take the petitioners into confidence,” he said.
Finally, his frustration showing as Reginaldo refused to let go of the chief minister who ended the discussion by saying: “the matter is sub-judice.”
Officials on condition of anonymity had said that Government would instead take over the land and utilize it for industrial development and that government has approached SEZ promoters demanding that the petitions be withdrawn and that it would give them an offer of land to set up their industrial units.
The State has withdrawn the SEZ policy and GIDC had sent show cause notices on January 1, 2008 when Congress was in power.
But sources said that the SEZs have not been de-notified by the State government on the pretext that the matter is sub-judice and the possession of all that land is still with the allottees as per information obtained under RTI.
