CPI(ML) demands scrapping of SEZ Act

Bangalore, May 22 (UNI) Accusing the Centre of ushering in Corporate Landlordism in the country the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) today demanded scrapping of the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Act, 2005, as it was anti-farmer.

Talking to newspersons here CPI-ML General Secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya urged for the abolition of Land Acquisition Act, 1884. In the name of industrial development, vast areas of fertile land had been acquired, throwing the farmers to streets, he alleged.

Mr Bhattacharya also alleged that ''the UPA government has betrayed the people by not keeping up its promise to stop farmers' suicide and starvation deaths before coming to power.'' He said the National Rural Employment Guarantee(NREG) Act, the UPA's showpiece legislation has remained only on paper. Because of bureaucratic procedures, only a few people are actually getting employment, compared to the previous food for work schemes, he alleged.

The CPI(ML) leader alleged that the DMK government in Tamil Nadu has failed to keep up its promise of allotting two acre of cultivable land to the poor in rural areas.

Mr Bhattacharya alleged that a number of innocent people were killed in fake encounters in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab.

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