Chiranjeevi takes up cause of SEZ-affected people

Mahbubnagar, Andhra Pradesh, Sep 26 (UNI) Praja Rajayam Party (PRP) Founder Chiranjeevi today assured people, who had lost their land due to the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) coming up at Polepalli, to provide land to them if his party was voted to power.

Addressing the affected farmers, who were turned into landless labourers due to the SEZ, the actor-turned-politician said an action plan would be evolved by the PRP to fight for their cause.

''The PRP will stand by you. I will not bely your hopes. When I come (to power), I will ensure a piece of land for each of the affected family,'' he promised amid thunderous applause from his admirers, who had gathered in large numbers.

He vehemently opposed the Congress Government's SEZ policy of procuring large tracts of land from ''unwilling'' farmers on behalf of private players at a ''throwaway price.'' ''On no account, fertile lands should be used for SEZs,'' he asserted and made a reference to acquisition of thousands of acres of land for SEZs coming up in the coastal region and also Telangana and Rayalaseema.

While welcoming industries for the overall development of the state, he opined that private players should directly negotiate with the farmers.

Only the lands of the weaker section of people were acquired for the SEZ, he contended, adding that the wealthy people, not the poor people, should be asked to make sacrifices.

What type of development the present rulers were trying to bring to the state, he questioned, asserting that things had to change for the betterment of the weaker sections of people.

Earlier, Mr Chiranjeevi gave a patient hearing to some of the members of the affected families.

The visit to Polepalli comes close on the heels of his maiden visit to Sircilla to get a first-hand account about the problems of handloom weavers.

UNI SM VA ROY SK AS1613