Centre should drop establishment of SEZs: Medha Patkar

Tiruchirapalli, Feb 16 (UNI) Noted social activist Medha Patkar today demanded that the Centre drop the idea of establishing Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in the country.

Strongly condemning the initiative to set up more than 300 SEZs in the country, Ms Patkar, who is also the Convener of the National Alliance of Peoples Movement (NAPM) described SEZs as 'Special Exploitation Zones'. The concessions and sops on 21 aspects envisaged from the SEZs would simply throw the Indian economy into shambles, she warned.

Talking to mediapersons here she questioned why should the country lose Rs four lakh crore on tax concessions and the holidays.

In overall perspective, all the benefits would go to the giant Indian Corporates and Multi National Companies (MNCs).

Only metropolis and mega polis would thrive and not the rural and semi-urban pockets across the country.

Already, the IT parks had made the general public lose their value and livelihood, she said and added the proposed SEZs would worsen the living conditions of the poor, she charged.

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