SEZs policy needs correction: Chavan

Pune, Oct 14 (UNI) Minister in Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Prithviraj Chavan today admitted that the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) policy of the government needs some correction and that the agriculture sector remains worrisome despite a good economic growth rate.

Talking to reporters after attending a function of the Pune Bar Council, the Minister said the government was clear that only wastelands would be considered for SEZs and not arable lands with two crops.

He said the lands could be acquired only after taking farmers into confidence and proper market rates be given for the same.

Mr Chavan said that SEZs were very successful in China but as the ground reality was different in the country, the SEZ policy was needed to be corrected. In China the state owns and controls the land, while in India, there is private ownership of property.

He pointed out that agriculture remained worrisome. After many years, 58 lakh tonnes of wheat had to be imported when nearly 60 per cent of the population is dependent on agriculture.

Talking about the growth rate, he said despite many challenges like terrorism, naxalism coupled with lack of regulatory systems in transport, energy, expanding subsidies and a widening gap between the rich and the poor, the country has achieved an impressive growth rate of nearly 10 per cent in every quarter of the previous year.

The exports were rising and overseas acquisitions were also happening, specially in the manufacturing sector, he informed.

Mr Chavan said the government gives Rs 80,000 crore in subsidy and the same could be diverted to sectors like health and education.

A political will could change this but in a coalition form of government, a balanced approach had to be taken, he added.

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