CPI demands halt to SEZ process

Kolkata, Jan 6(UNI) Demanding an immediate halt to the process of land acquisition for SEZ, the CPI has called for rexamination of the whole concept behind the concerned act to bring in a major amendment.

The party, which concluded its three-day National Council meeting here today, also demanded that a high level commission be set up to look into the issues to protect the rights and interests of the affected poeople, especially the farmers.

Observing that a new breed of ''zamindars'' was being created by the UPA Government under legalised framework of the SEZ Act, the party said while agricultural land was being offered more than required, the Government had sanctioned a ''veritable loot'' by real estate owners taking advantage out of massive concessions and the rules for proper rehabilitation of the evicted people were not being followed.

The party also apprehended that the SEZ practice would bring about a large-scale imbalance in development of regions.

''SEZs are neither the only nor necessary or inevitable for industrial growth. We demand that the whole concept be demystified.

India is running a rat race for setting up of maximum number of SEZs and this is raising deep concern,'' party General Secretary A B Bardhand told reporters.

He said nearly 300 such zones had been approved allover the country and about 1,34,000 hectres of land had already been acquired for 67 SEZs.

''There are ominous reports that the Government has lifted the cap of 300 on creating such SEZs and is going in for unlimited numbers,'' he said.

In the context of West Bengal, Mr Bardhan said the resolution called for maintaining total transparency in land acquisition and full consultation with the ruling Left Front partners after taking the people into confidence.

''Without clinching the issues in the co-ordination mechanisms of the coalition Governments no administrative measurtes should be initiated for finalising the agreements with corporate houses and for acquiring land,'' the party resolution said.

UNI