V P Singh demands law to protect interests of farmers

Pune, Nov 5 (UNI) Former Prime Minister V P Singh here today said that agitations in all forms will continue against Special Economic Zones (SEZ) unless the government puts a law in place to protect the interests of the farmers.

Staging a 'rasta roko' on the Pune-Nasik Highway at Rajguru Nagar, Mr Singh said the government must stop giving mere assurances. ''The policy worked out for the farmers must reach and benefit them, as they are already facing competition from the farmers abroad, who get subsidies from their respective governments for exports. Farmers who do not want to give up their lands must be heard and cultivable lands be spared from inclusion in SEZ,'' he added.

Mr Singh pointed out the government had also assured employment to a family member of a farmer whose land had been taken over under SEZ. There has to be a law to ensure that employment is given, he added.

More than 1,000 odd farmers participated in the agitation. The MIDC officials had to put off their work of measuring lands in 16 villages of Khed taluka due to the 'rasta roko'. The work will be taken up on November 15.

UNI DWN KU MS KP1618