Relief and rehab priority over industry: Prasad

Shimla, June 22 (UNI) Union Minister for Rural Development Raghuvansh Prasad today said there will be no forcible evacuation or displacement of farmers for any developmental project, including special economic zones (SEZ's), before a proper relief and rehabilitation package was in place.

Addressing mediapersons here, he said the relief and rehabilitation policy being prepared by the rural development ministry would not allow displacement of farmers or forcible acquisition of farmlands for industry or other development projects.

''Industry is not a national priority if it displaces a large number of people,'' he said.

Mr Prasad said the new policy would make it mandatory to have a proper relief and rehabilitation package before any displacement takes place for a development or industry project.

Voluntary displacement would, however, be allowed, he said.

Replying to a question whether the policy would be made applicable to SEZ's too, the minister said that when it was going to be the policy of the land, it would naturally be applicable to SEZ's as well.

UNI