3 SEZs in Goa can be denotified on developers' consent: Centre

NEW DELHI: The Centre has reiterated that the three notified special economic zones (SEZs) in Goa could be denotified only if the state government and the developers of these SEZs agree to it. Goa chief minister Digambar Kamat met commerce and industry minister Kamal Nath on Wednesday to ask for the Centre's support in denotifying the SEZs.

The Centre will look into the issue of denotifying the three SEZs, Mr Nath told reporters after the meeting.

Government officials said that it could happen only with the consent of the three developers, Cipla, Raheja and Peninsula.

The Goa government had announced in December 2007 its intention to remove all SEZs from the state. It, however, has not yet been able to get the three notified SEZs denotified as the Centre claims that till the developers agree to give up the SEZ land, the denotification cannot happen.

Commerce department officials said that the developers have to be suitably compensated by the state government for the losses they are suffering because of the sudden decision to discontinue with SEZs in Goa.