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SEZ faces opposition

BERHAMPUR: Opposition is mounting against the proposed SEZ of Tatas near Gopalpur in Ganjam district.

Organisations like the CPI-ML (New Democracy), the All India Kisan Mazdoor Sabha (AIKMS) and the Lok Sangram Manch (LSM) have decided to oppose this SEZ.

The company has proposed to establish the SEZ on the land it took over during the nineties for the establishment of a mega steel project, which is now shelved. The Centre has already given its green signal to the SEZ project.

Tapan Mishra, leader of the AIKMS, said the land on which the Tata company was planning to establish the SEZ was taken over from peasants for a purpose which was never fulfilled. He said it was the duty of the government to return the fertile land to the displaced peasants rather than letting the company use it for establishing an SEZ, which would in no way help the displaced families economically.

The CPI-ML (New Democracy), through a press note, demanded the land taken over by the Tata company be redistributed among the displaced families. The LSM also shared a similar view. All these organisations threatened to oppose the SEZ. They joined hands to build pressure against the proposal through seminars and meetings.

Villagers on the periphery of the proposed site of the Tata SEZ also did not seem to be enthusiastic about the project.

Recently, the Ganjam district administration held a public hearing for acquisition of additional land for the SEZ at Paikapada under Chamakhandi panchayat.

Families from six villages who attended the hearing opposed the move to be acquired for the SEZ.

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