PM emphasises more humane approach to those displaced under SEZs

New Delhi, Mar 8 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today emphasised ''a more humane approach'' in dealing with those displaced in the process of land acquisition for special economic zones (SEZs).

In his reply to the debate in Parliament on the motion of thanks to the President's address, Dr Singh agreed with West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee that the time has come for the country for rapid industrialisation because industry can create a lot more jobs and therefore despite political differences, the country is united in the direction in which it ought to be moving.

Since the operationalisation of the SEZ Act, 2005, the Government has approved 234 SEZs, given ''in principle approval'' to another 162 and received proposals from state governments for 304 more.

The Commerce Ministry has touted the SEZs as the answer to attract foreign investment, boost exports, generate tens of thousands of jobs and help India catch up with its neighbour China.

But following protests from farmers and other quarters, all but 63 of those projects have been put on hold. An empowered Group of Ministers headed by Pranab Mukherjee has been set up to review the contentious policy that has claimed six lives and left several others injured in clashes between CPI(M) activists and farmers in Singur in West Bengal.

Worried over the fallout of the protests at Singur and Nandigram, the Centre is now laying stress on formulating a rehabilitation package that is acceptable to the farmers concerned.

The Ministry of Rural Development is drawing up a revised National Rehabilitation Policy to minimise displacement woes and to promote, as far as possible, adequate rehabilitation packages and swift implementation of the rehabilitation process with the "active participation of the displaced persons".

UNI