The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Fair deal sought for SEZ-displaced

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Saturday, Aug 11, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Fair deal sought for SEZ-displaced

Correspondent

Kakinada: Telugu Desam Party Polit Bureau member and former Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu has sought a fair and realistic relief and rehabilitation package for the SEZ-displaced people.

At a press conference here on Friday, Mr. Ramakrishnudu said that the TDP was not opposed to setting up of industries in the Kakinada SEZ. “We only want that the displaced should be compensated in all aspects,” he said. The government was acting as a mediator to the SEZ promoters and acquiring lands indiscriminately, setting aside the stipulation that fertile lands should be spared, he charged.

Real estate boom

Stating that the SEZ did not require an extent of 10,000 acres of land, he alleged that additional lands were acquired only to cash in on the real estate boom.

In support of his argument, Mr. Ramakrishnudu cited how the lands acquired directly through negotiations for Rs. 3 lakhs were now being offered to industrialists at Rs. 30 lakhs. He also alleged that the SEZ promoters were grabbing huge extent of land abutting the SEZ for real estate business.

Stating that the party’s land struggle would not end with exposing the case of a Congress MLA in Chollangi village near here, the TDP leader said the party would now concentrate on ensuring justice to the SEZ-affected families.

TDP optimistic

Blaming the government for alleged gross irregularities in dealing with assigned lands, rampant corruption in irrigation projects and leasing of mines, he said that the TDP would win hands down in all the 21 Assembly constituencies in the district in the coming elections.

TDP district president Jyothula Nehru, senior leaders Chikkala Ramachandra Rao, Metla Satyanarayana Rao, Gorantla Buchaiah Choudary and Vanga Geeta were present.

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