Minister says "no" land aquisition for SEZ by govt

Chennai, May 2 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister Arcot N Veerasamy today said the state government would not acquire lands while granting permission for setting up Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in the state.

Intervening during the debate on the demand for grants for Small Industries Department, he said considering the recent developments in West Bengal, the government had decided not to involve itself in the process of acquiring lands for SEZs.

''The owners of SEZ should acquire lands on their own,'' he said and added that the government would not force the people to part with their lands for setting up SEZs.

He also denied AIADMK member K S Vijayakumar's charge that the government was forcibly acquiring lands for SEZs.

Mr Veerasamy said that while signing the agreement for SEZs, the government had made it clear that priority should be given to the people of Tamil Nadu, while providing job opportunities.

UNI