INLD terms Haryana's SEZ deal with Reliance as 'sellout'

Chandigarh, June 20 (UNI) Terming the Haryana government's agreement with Reliance India Limited (RIL) for setting up a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) a ''sellout'', the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) today demanded the cancellation of the deal involving an investment of Rs 40,000 crore.

''The government has handed over the precious land of the state to the RIL at throaway prices,'' Senior INLD leader and former state Finance Minister Sampat Singh said at a press conference which was also addressed by party general secretary and Rajya Sabha Member Ajay Singh Chautala and state party chief Ashok Arora.

Prof Singh said Reliance had not taken the land for charitable work but to develop it as real estate, so the land should have been given at market rates only.

Prof Singh alleged that by naming the joint venture company floated for setting up the SEZ between Gurgaon and Jhajjar districts as 'Reliance Haryana SEZ Private Ltd', the Hooda government had given a private company precedence over the state. ''Haryana is no longer a state but a company now.'' Calling it was the biggest scandal of the country, Prof Sampat Singh said the INLD would oppose it at every level. Mr Ajay Chautala would tour all the 90 assembly constituencies in the state to mobilise the people against this ''scandalous deal'', he added.

The INLD leader said the party had already started a signature campaign against the deal and soon a memorandum would be submitted to the Haryana Governor and the President seeking the cancellation of the agreement.

He warned that if the Hooda government went ahead with the controversial deal with Reliance, the INLD would undo it when it comes to power in the state.

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