The Hindu : National : JD (U) to launch agitation against SEZs

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Tuesday, Sep 05, 2006

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JD (U) to launch agitation against SEZs

Special Correspondent

It will jeopardise food security: Sharad Yadav

NEW DELHI: The Janata Dal (United) on Monday criticised the Centre for promoting tax-free Special Economic Zones (SEZs) by selling off fertile agriculture land to big industrial houses and demanded that the activity be stopped immediately as it would jeopardise the country's food security and create large-scale unemployment.

The party will hold a massive demonstration at Jantar Mantar here on September 25 against the permission given by the government for setting up 150 SEZs in parts of the country, with 200 more in the pipeline. "This issue will not be dropped here. It will be `aar-paar ki ladai' [fight to the finish]," announced party president Sharad Yadav at a press conference here.

Mr. Yadav demanded that the Land Acquisition Act, 1884, be scrapped because the kind of development that was now being conceived under it was "fake" There is no development for roads, schools, hospitals etc.

No SEZs or builders should be allowed in the National Capital Region. If at all, the farmers whose lands are being usurped should be able to deal directly with the buyer.

He said in the name of promoting exports and attracting foreign capital, the Central and State Governments had unleashed "loot" in the country. "Nothing can be said on how much exports would be promoted or how much foreign capital would we be able to attract, but this policy will ruin the country and the farming sector. The entire green revolution belt of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh is up for grabs-Gurgaon and Jhajhar districts are being given to Mukesh Ambani of Reliance with a promise that if needed, Sonipat may also be given.

There is a proposal to give Delhi Land Financers (DLF) massive agriculture land in Haryana.

Similarly the Uttar Pradesh Government has allotted fertile Dadri land to Anil Ambani for power project, far in excess of the requirement. Even Noida is being given to Mr. Ambani for SEZ."

Mr. Yadav charged that in the name of SEZ, the land mafia was grabbing the green revolution belt with the government working as their property agents.

As suggested by the Reserve Bank of India, this policy of setting up SEZ would cause an imbalance in the economy, it will dry Government coffers and will sound the death-knell for smaller units working outside the SEZs.

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