The Hindu : New Delhi News : `Gram sabha nod must for SEZs'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Sep 29, 2006
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New Delhi

`Gram sabha nod must for SEZs'

Special Correspondent

Civil society groups and farmers' representatives oppose creation of Special Economic Zones

SEZs allowed to come up without compensating the displaced farmers

Every job offer in the SEZ would displace 30 jobs in the unorganised sector

NEW DELHI: Civil society groups and farmers' representatives Wednesday opposed the creation of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and questioned the special concessions and tax holiday being offered to profit-making industries.

They also demanded that all land acquired for the SEZs be returned to farmers and the land redistributed to the landless and marginal farmers. These farmers should be given "special concessions" for inputs such as decentralised irrigation, indigenous seeds and organic manure.

Announcing a "jan andolan" (people's movement) under the banner of the National Alliance of People's Movements here, Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar said that though the SEZ Act had been approved by Parliament, there should be a national consultation on the concept, as people had not been taken into confidence.

"Industries can be complementary to agriculture, but not at the cost of agriculture. Approval from `gram sabhas' should be a pre-condition.''

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