According to a telephonic message received this evening by this writer the three notified SEZ's in Goa have since been de-notified.
This sudden move is believed to have come about due to certain political developments at the Centre which may not be palatable to the United Progressive Alliance government at the Centre. The Government of Goa too would not like to provide a handle to the Opposition in the oncoming session of the first Goa Legislative Assembly session for the current year beginning this week 10th January, 2008 and also to checkmate the utterances of the Secretary Commerce Government of India that SEZ's once notified cannot be de-notified which derides public interest. Meanwhile, there is also an apprehension the Opposition may clamour for the heads of those involved in approving the SEZ's in the earlier government headed by Mr Pratapsing Raoji Rane, by demanding that criminal cases be filed against them or they should be removed from the Cabinet. This could put the Digamber Kamat coalition government in a quandry of sorts though the numbers are in their favour. It would also be time opportune for Mr Kamat to consolidate his hold over the Government as the stigma of non-governance even after seven months in office shows him as a weak kneed CM. While the demand to unseat the Cabinet Ministers involved in approving the SEZ's will be welcome by anti-SEZ forces and strenghten Mr Kamat it is left to be seen whether he can execute this draconian plan even if it means embarassing the INC High Command but to assert his control over things. But there is also an underlying fear that knowing the ground realities the young turks in the Government too may consolidate their numbers to bring about a change in Government for now is the time to strike if they intend or have to continue with the present arrangements until the Lok Sabha elections are due in May 2009 or a midterm poll following an "aam aadmi" budget 2008. GODFREY J. I. GONSALVES, BORDA, MARGAO, 403 602, GOA. (INDIA) +91 98221 58584 (24 HRS) [EMAIL PROTECTED] Save all your chat conversations. Find them online at http://in.messenger.yahoo.com/webmessengerpromo.php