The central com merce ministry has declined the Goa government's request to denotify the three SEZ's that were granted final approval. The three SEZ's are K Raheja's SEZ at Verna, Meditab Specialities at Keri, and Peninsula Pharma at Sancoale, Goa. Citing land scarcity, growing social tensions and public sentiment, the Digamber Kamat government had bowed to public pressure in December 2007, scrapping all SEZs in the state. The state had then requested the commerce ministry to denotify the three SEZs cleared by the state and Centre, after issuing stop work orders here to all SEZs including Meditab Specialities, K. Raheja and Peninsula Pharma. "We have received a letter from the ministry saying it would not be possible to denotify the SEZs without the law ministry's consent. The state has therefore been asked to take its own decision and negotiate with the affected parties," Goa chief secretary J.P. Singh told this newspaper. With chief minister Mr Kamat out of the state, a decision is expected to be taken shortly. The high court meanwhile has asked the state government to take a decision on stop work orders within two weeks. Mr Kamat had resisted efforts and stuck to his decision to have all SEZ permissions rescinded.