AP: 54 SEZs to provide employment to 4.5 lakh

Hyderabad, Dec 21: Andhra Pradesh Tourism and Major Industries Minister J Geeta Reddy today told the state assembly that the 54 Special Economic Zones sanctioned to the state would provide employment to 4.5 lakh people.

Replying to a question raised by TDP members P Keshav and Yanamala Rama Krishnudu and others during the Question Hour, the minister said various government departments were entering into agreements with private sector developers.

The acquisition of patta land, wherever necessary, was being done by adhering to the terms of Land Acquisition Act, she said, adding that in most of the cases the method of consent was being followed. Care was being taken to avoid acquisition of wetlands as far as possible.

The Minister said three proposals for setting up IT/ITES-SEZ at Madikonda in Warangal district, Aerospace SEZ in Nadargul in Ranga Reddy district and Parry Infrastructure Company Pvt Ltd Food Processing SEZ at Kakinada were under the consideration of the government.

Replying to supplementaries, she said Apache was investing Rs 500 crore and Brandix was investing Rs 2,500 crore. Other SEZs were in initial stages, she added.

Earlier, P Keshav (TDP) said Haryana government was only giving permission to the developers of SEZs and was making them acquire the lands from the farmers themselves. The state government was acquiring the lands of poor farmers and handing them over to developers.

He alleged that these developers were using the land for real estate business and construction of hotels and other resorts.

The Minister denied the charge and clarified that land was given only to developers on lease and was not being sold.

UNI