HYDERABAD: National Commission on Farmers' member Atul Kumar Anjaan has demanded that the Central Government take a re-look at the Special Economic Zones Act passed last year and re-draft the legislation to protect the interests of farmers.

Land in excess of 1.6 lakh hectares is being "grabbed" by the corporate houses in the name of development of SEZs and this is set to adversely affect food production and security.

"Moreover, the Government is not being informed about the purpose for which the land is being used," Mr. Anjaan who is also the general secretary of the CPI-affiliated All India Kisan Sabha said.

Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, he said there was no clarity on the items to be produced from these SEZs, their earnings and the employment potential.

He said the indiscriminate allocation of lands to SEZs would create a "social chaos" in the country in that few areas would witness rapid development while others remain neglected resulting in unrest among the sections of society.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail