Adecision to set up special economic zones (SEZs) in the state has sparked widespread protests across Goa. Protesters attacked properties given to various SEZ developers across the state.

Residents of Keri village in Ponda district attacked the site of Cipla’s Meditab where a pharma-based SEZ is on the anvil. The project promises jobs to one lakh people.

Dr Videsh Jhalmi, Chairman, Keri Action Committee accused the state Government of shoddy homework before sanctioning the SEZ. “Keri is an economically fragile zone and people will have to face more problems if such an SEZ comes up,” he said.

Work was on for quite some time on some projects that had been allotted land, including Cipla’s Meditab Specialties’ Rs 500-crore pharma zone. The public-private partnership with Mumbai-based real estate major K Raheja Corp is also setting up two SEZs at Verna Industrial Estate for IT and ITES sector, while Peninsula Pharma Research Centre will develop an R&D centre and Biotech Park.

Cipla had to abandon work after a mob attacked the site and workers were forced to flee.

Cipla is now thinking to move its plant from Goa after claiming damages from the Government. Cipla’s Chief Executive Amar Lulla told The Indian Express that the company is reviewing the project and will not just move it out of the state but will also claim damages from the Government.

On the outskirts of Panjim at Dona Paula where the Rajiv Gandhi IT Habitat Centre has been planned, allegations of a real estate scam are surfacing. About three-fourth of the land acquired for an IT park has already been sold off to real estate developers for malls and shopping complexes.

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