Don't develop SEZs at the cost of farmers: Scindia

New Delhi, Jan 8 (UNI) Congress MP Jyotiraditya Scindia today expressed the view that the Special Economic Zones(SEZs) should not be developed at the cost of the farmers and waste lands be acquired for the purpose instead of cultivable land.

''When there is no dearth of waste land in the country, why should SEZs be developed at the cost of the farmers,'' he asked while speaking at a seminar organised here by FICCI on the subject 'India Rising - The challenge of growth, governance and equal opportunity.' Mr Scindia said the farmers whose land was being acquired should be paid its actual value. ''If they are being paid proper compensation, there is no harm in acquiring land. But it should not be done indiscriminately.'' The young MP listed the rural-urban divide, imbalanced growth, which leads to social tension, energy security and bulging population as the main challenges for the overall growth of the economy.

He suggested improving the road infrastructure, provision of farm credit, promoting irrigation facilities and involvement of the private sector to improve a low two-and-a-half per growth rate in the agriculture sector.

Congress MP Deependra Singh Hooda said there was an urgent need to solve the basic problems of power and water for the farmers. He felt the farmers needed to be imparted education and provided gainful employment.

BJP MP Manvendra Singh said the causes of the crisis in agriculture varied from region to region. He proposed a proper analysis of their problems before suggesting solution for them.

BJD MP B J Panda said politicians should share the blame for much of the problems of the farmers. However, he said the growth rate had doubled over the last 15 years reaching close to 9 per cent, which could be attributed to the government playing its role effectively. ''This had resulted in most of the Indians being better off.'' MORE UNI