Cong distances itself from Goa on SEZ issue

Seeking to dispel a growing perception about the party going back on its stated policy on SEZ, under pressure from Kamat Government, the party spokesperson said that it was Congress President Sonia Gandhi who had raised the issue of agricultural land at the Chief Ministers8217; conclave at Nainital in 2006 and this was followed by a letter from the Congress President to the Union Government.

Congress sources were at pains to explain that there was no change in the party8217;s stance on SEZs and the move by the Congress regime in Goa should be seen as an isolated case, driven by local compulsions. Sources added that the fate of the three notified SEZs was not sealed yet, notwithstanding Commerce Minister Kamal Nath8217;s assurance to Kamat on Thursday that the Centre would review them.

Since the cases of the three notified SEZs and 12 others could not be dealt with separately, Kamat had to demand the scrapping of all 15.