CPM opposes setting up of SEZs in HP

Shimla, Oct 4 (UNI) The Himachal Pradesh unit of the CPM today opposed the setting up of the special economic zones in the state, saying it was selling prime land to big industrial houses on the pretext of setting up of special economic zones (SEZs).

''The selling of prime agricultural land in and around Una and Kangra district will lead to widespread displacement of farmers of which 25 per cent land will be used for industry and processing, while the remaining will be sold off to add to the promoters profit,'' state secretariat members Dr Onkar Shad said at a press conference here.

Dr Shad said since SEZs would be sovereign areas, the state government would have no control over it, allowing the industry to hire and fire workers on will.

Demanding immediate changes in the SEZ Act and rules, he said the stipulation of land to be used in a SEZ must be increased to at least 50 per cent and 25 per cent for related infrastructure, besides doing away with incentives being provided to the industry.

He said the state government should also take adequate steps to compensate and rehabilitate the people displaced due to the setting up of the SEZs.

Accusing the state government of failing to ensure that workers engaged in the construction of Chamera II hydel project in Chamba district were not retrenched, he said the construction company executing the project was retrenching workers after initiating the work.

The CPM leader said the retrenchment of the workers was not possible without the connivance of the labour department, which could not absolve itself of it.

Dr Shad said the party has also taken a serious note of the government's attempt to influence the investigating agency to keep the kingpin of the scam out of the police reach. Since the name of several Congress ministers and office bearers of the party have cropped up during the investigation of the HP Combined Pre-Medical Test (HPCPMT), it was necessary that the state's Excise Minister Rangila Ram Rao should be made to resign or sacked, he said.

Referring to the appointment of teachers under the Parent Teachers Association (PTA), he said the appointment on this basis was unconstitutional and was only a mean to adjust the kith and kin of the Congress leaders and activists.

Since it accords no reservation to the SCs and STs and other reserved categories, the appointment under the PTA should be stopped forthwith, he said.

The CPM leader also criticized the previous BJP government for adopting similar policies under the guise of providing employment to their near and dear ones.

The appointment of ''Vidya Upasaks'' during the previous government's tenure was a case in reference, he said.

The party also urged the government to come out with the total amount of loss suffered during the monsoon season in the state, he said.

UNI