Venkaiah panel meets on SEZ

New Delhi, Oct 3 (UNI) The Party panel on Special Economic Zone (SEZ) headed by senior BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu today held its first meeting in an effort to formulate the party line on the creation of SEZs in the country.

The Committee was appointed by BJP President Rajnath Singh following the outcry against the misuse of SEZ programme to wrest and dispossess the farmers of their agricultural lands by the state governments and land mafias in the name of SEZ.

The five-member committee consisting of former MP Kirit Somayya, BJP Kisan Morcha Chief Vinod Pande among others were asked to submit their report in about a fortnight.

BJP Spokesman Prakash Javadekar said the party was clear that the SEZ benefits needed to be extended to boost exports through Export Oriented Units and it should not be given to non-exporting units. Even where the lands are taken, the farmers need to be compensated with appropriate alternative lands, employment and compensation.

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