NEW DELHI: The former Prime Minister, V.P. Singh, has announced that he would launch, along with like-minded civil society groups, non-governmental organisations and parties, a nation-wide agitation next month against Special Economic Zones (SEZs).

Mr. Singh, who is also the Jan Morcha president, said it was not the Government's business to acquire farmland for the corporate sector for SEZs or industrial projects as done in some States.

"The country struggled for getting `land to the tiller' and by State acquisition of land we are totally reversing the process. Corporate landlordism, and that too with the help of the State, won't help."

Seeks moratorium

While warning that the day was not far when farmers would take to arms against forceful acquisition of land, he sought a six-month moratorium on all land acquisition for industrial projects and SEZs and for setting up a regulatory framework to look into such cases.

In the meantime, the United Progressive Alliance Government should amend the Land Acquisition Act and the SEZ Act, he told reporters.

Criticising the CPI (M)-led West Bengal Government for its move to acquire land at Nandigram in Midnapur district, he said: "Who are you [to do that]? The farmer is the owner of the land. It has to be his decision on what to do with it. He will make his own package. Let the corporate sector spell out the package."

Mr. Singh pointed out that the CPI (M) was fighting alongside the Jan Morcha in Dadri, Benares (Uttar Pradesh) and in Maharashtra against SEZs and industrial projects on prime farmland, but in West Bengal it was adopting the opposite policy. "This is wrong. Why are you preparing packages for capitalists?"

Mr. Singh said the West Bengal Government's compensation package might be "better than the one offered by Mulayam Singh Government in Uttar Pradesh, but who asked them to make the package when farmers are not willing to sell their land? This is like someone acquiring your house and telling you to take a compensation and get out."

Mr. Singh said he would meet CPI (M) General Secretary Prakash Karat on this issue.

Coming down heavily on the UPA Government, he said it could not escape the responsibility for the happenings States.

"If only 25 per cent land is required for setting up industries, why is additional 75 per cent being allowed to be acquired for real estate, and that too in thousands of acres? The Centre must amend the Land Acquisition Act and the SEZ Act."

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