JD (U) opposes Centre's SEZ, retail policies

Lucknow, Dec 3: Janata Dal (United) today slammed the SEZ and retail sector policies of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government at the Centre and termed it dangerous for the country's food security.

Talking to reporters here, JD (U) president and former Union minister Sharad Yadav said the two policies would take the country towards economic dependence. ''While it will snatch the food security established after dacades of hard work, the two policies would also force economic dependence towards MNCs and big corporates,'' he said.

On December 17, the JD (U) would organise a protest programme in the National Capital, where people deprived of their lands for setting up SEZs would be invited to put forth their views. On September 25 last, the JD (U) had organised a similar protest.

He alleged that members of the Union cabinet were singing in different tones on the issue of setting up 350 SEZs in the country.

''While they are still unsure about the SEZ policy and its far reavhing effects on the economy, the corporate houses were exploiting the situation to suit their vested interests,'' he added.

He claimed that the ''corporate land mafia'' was using the policy to gather assests for themselves.

''The paddy procured from Punjab and Haryana is used by the Centre to provide ration to poor families...if SEZs are set on that land, what will happen to the poor,'' he quipped.

The former Union minister also charged the Centre for it silence on the back door entry of retail sector giant Wal Mart into the country through a tie up with Bharti. ''Can the Union government expain its stand on the future of 20 crore families asociated with the present retail set up in the country?,'' he said and added that the open market ecomony was possible only after a proper food security system was in place.

UNI

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