CPI (M) rubbishes Hooda's claim of development

Fatehabad, Nov 4 (UNI) The Communist Party of India (Marxist) today rubbished the Congress's claim of development in Haryana saying that the Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda "erroneously" believes the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) were a ''panacea to all ills plaguing the state.'' Talking to media persons here today after addressing a meeting of the district unit of the party, state CPM secretary Inderjeet Singh said it was a pity that the state government thought that with the setting up of SEZs, all problems of the state would evaporate.

He said on the contrary, certain objectionable clauses, which were added to the draft bill for the SEZs, could prove to be counterproductive for the state.

He said though the government had specified lower limit of the land required for the SEZs for single product and multi products, there was no upper limit for that. This, he said, would encourage realtors to acquire lands in the name of SEZs and then sell it at heavy premium.

The CPM leader said the total exemption of the SEZs from the payment of taxes and duties would not only adversely affect the revenue generation in the state but also deny level playing field to the industries outside the SEZs.

He also objected to the sovereignty clause in the SEZ Act, whereby Indian laws would not be applicable to companies operating within the four walls of the SEZs.

Mr Inderjeet Singh also criticised the manner in which the farmers' prime lands near the national capital region (NCR) were being allowed to be acquired at a price lesser than its market value. Further, the interests of landless farm labourers, who were dependent on the land acquired, were being totally ignored, he added.

He said his party was not against the setting up of SEZs, but it should not be at the expense of farmers.

The government should have adopted the West Bengal model of acquisition of land for industrialisation, under which the farmers were paid ten per cent more than the market value for the acquisition of their land. he said.

He said the government, instead of selling the land to the SEZs, should give it on lease to them.

The CPM leader also criticised the Central government on the issue of MSP of wheat and said only announcement of MSP was not sufficient. Last year, the government did not purchase even half of the wheat that came to the grain market, with the result the government had to import wheat for its requirement.

He said the government must guarantee the procurement of each grain of wheat otherwise the food security of the country would be endangered.

UNI XC DP SI BD2114