JD(U) criticises new SEZ policy, demands complete scrapping

New Delhi, Apr 6 (UNI) Janata Dal (United) president Sharad Yadav today criticised the latest decision of the government on SEZ and demanded complete scrapping of the ''suicide policy of SEZ.'' Terming the new decision '' nothing but repackaging of the old deception,'' Mr Yadav said the policy continues to help the Indian and foreign multinationals and the big capitalists at the cost of farmers and agriculture.

He said the new policy has again missed out the question of food security and the so called maximum cap of 5000 hectares translated into acres is a huge tract of land. Moreover, there is no ban on purchasing of fertile land for the purpose of SEZ. There is also no cap on total number of SEZs in a state and the so called reservation of 50 per cent of the land for core activities would never be implemented in the absence of any clear definition.

''All in all, the government has learnt no lessons from the events surrounding the SEZs and is unconcerned about the discontent among the farmers and landless labourers. By disregarding the issue of food security, it has also shown total apathy towards the poor and aam adami,'' he said and demanded complete scrapping of the ''suicide policy of SEZ being pursued by the government.'' UNI AJ SB KP1643