VP Singh demands change in SEZ acquisition law

New Delhi, Oct 19: Former Prime Minister and Jan Morcha founder leader V P Singh today demanded that the UPA government amend the land acquisition law under which farmers' fertile land was being acquired at ''throwaway prices'' for Special Economic Zones(SEZ), especially in Uttar Pradesh.

Mr Singh is holding talks with West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharya and other leaders on the issue.

He said that the farmers' plight would be his party's main poll plank against the ruling Samajwadi Party(SP) in the coming Uttar Pradesh assembly elections. Mr Singh also demanded a special package for the drought-hit district of Bundelkhand and formation of a development council for the region.

The former Prime Minister said he wanted the authors of India's economic reforms to answer why the government did not let the market come into play while acquiring land for big industrial houses.

''Let the farmer determine the cost of his land, why do you step in to obtain land for the rich who can pay market prices,'' he said addressing a press conference jointly with Jan Morcha president Raj Babbar.

While appreciating UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi's taking up the issue at the Nainital convlave of Congress Chief Ministers, he, however, said it was not enough just to make a statement over SEZ, but the party should act and start the process for amending the land acquisition law.

''Even in the USA which you take as a model, no land is acquired for the industry. Those wishing to set up industry have to buy the land from the owner at market prices,'' he said.

Mr Singh said the matter was not just confined to Uttar Pradesh, but was an all India issue. In reply to a question, he said he was in dialogue with West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya and other leaders on the issue of land acquisition for SEZ which was reversing the the process of farmers' land entitlement achieved after Independence.

Highlighting the plight of farmers of Bundelkhand region which was experiencing drought for three successive years, he said the farmers were committing suicide and living in a deplorable situation. ''Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should go and see their state.'' The region was in urgent need of a special package and a developmental council to take care of its needs, he said.

In reply to a question, Mr Singh said he did not favour a separate state comprising the districts of Bundelkhand as the region did not possess adequate resources.

UNI