Kamal Nath writes to all CMs on SEZs

New Delhi, Sep 26: The Centre has appealed to Chief Ministers of all the states to ensure that the land acquired for the purpose of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in their respective states is primarily waste or barren land.

''Agricultural land may be acquired only if necessary to meet the minimum area requirements,'' Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Kamal Nath said in a communication to the CMs.

He appealed to the CMs to ensure that the developers provide for an adequate relief and the rehabilitation package for the affected.

''Since these SEZs would require trained manpower, you may also consider appropriate training programmes in such areas for the affected families.

''I would like to convey my compliments for the initiative taken by your government for setting up SEZs in your state.

''Success of this policy framework laid down by the Government of India indeed depends on proactive role of the state governments and the initial response from the states is overwhelming.

''However, as you are aware, in the recent days concerns have been raised about the diversion of prime agricultural land for SEZ purpose and the inadequate compensation and rehabilitation problems faced by the affected farmers.

''This issue was discussed in the SEZ Board of Approval meeting held on September 21, 2006 and the general consensus emerged that mainly waste and barren land and if necessary single crop agricultural land alone should be acquired for the SEZs.

''It was also discussed with the state government representatives that if perforce a portion of double cropped agricultural land has to be acquired to meet the minimum area requirements, the same should not exceed 10 per cent of the total land required for the SEZs,'' the letter goes on to say.

UNI