We don't acquire fertile lands for SEZs: YSR

Rajahmundry, Dec 1: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhra Reddy today said the government as a policy did not acquire fertile lands for setting up Special Economic Zones (SEZs).

Addressing the press at the Madurapudi Airport, Dr Reddy said ''as a policy we do not take fertile lands. We take only marginal and not-fertile lands.'' He said in response to a question on BJP Leader M Venkaiah Naidu's criticism of the Centre and State Governments on ignoring the danger of the SEZs cutting down the area under agriculture.

''At the same time, industrial needs cannot be ignored,'' he added.

All irrigation projects are progressing except Polavaram, he said to an another question.

The Chief Minister said he would take up the issue of the ONGC setting up a refinery in SEZ with the Prime Minister.

UNI