'Govt's decision to stop SEZ proposals welcome'

New Delhi, Jan 18: The CPI(M) today welcomed the government'sreported decision to put on hold all proposals for Special EconomicZones (SEZs) but said it must be linked with bringing in fundamentalchanges in the present SEZ Act.

In a statement, the CPM Polit Bureau said the party had beenarguing that it was essential to include a land use clause to put aceiling on the land and to define the nature of land which could beused for setting up an SEZ.

Further, it is also imperative to ensure that at least 50 per centof the land must be used for manufacturing and processing and 25 percent for infrastructural purposes.

It said the government must ensure a full and comprehensiverehabilitation policy for the affected people, withdraw tax and otherconcessions now being offered for the creation of SEZs and guaranteelabour laws in these entities.

At the same time, the CPM also called for a complete reworking ofthe Land Acquisition Act, 1894 to strengthen the rights of those losingtheir land tenants, agricultural workers and all those whoselivelihoods depend on the land.

It said all the left parties had submitted a detailed note to thegovernment on these issues and favoured bringing in necessary changesin the relevant laws for discussion and adoption in the Budget Sessionof Parliament.

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