NEW DELHI: The Janata Dal (United) on Friday said the Central Government had learnt no lessons from the events surrounding the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and had come up with a new decision that was nothing but re-packaging of the old deception. The party has reiterated its demand for the scrapping of the Special Economic Zone Act.

Convener of the National Alliance of People's Movements Medha Patkar described the latest decision to allow companies to directly take land from farmers as "the decision for land grab and false promises." The Alliance too has sought repeal of the Act that will "hurt food security, cause large-scale displacement, joblessness and kill jobs and livelihoods."

Ms. Patkar scoffed at the expectation that corporates would rehabilitate dispossessed people when even governments were not doing so. "True, the idea was initiated during the National Democratic Alliance regime, but the Act was brought by the United Progressive Government and that too without any national consultation and without holding a dialogue with farmers and labour organisations and civil society groups."

Ms. Patkar told a press conference that the Empowered Group of Ministers on Wednesday hastily approved 83 new proposals ignoring the nation-wide SEZ-related conflict and struggles of farmers, labourers and fish workers. The decision has come at a time when political parties are involved in elections in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, there are differences within the United Progressive Alliance, including the Left Front partners and between the Finance Minister and the Commerce Minister.

Strongly opposing the tax concessions proposed for the corporates, Ms. Patkar said the SEZ Act had no mention of rehabilitation and resettlement and how the new promise of employing at least one person per displaced family would be implemented.

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