SEZ concept a fraud on people: Govindacharya

Mysore, July 16 (UNI) The concept of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) has become a fraud on people and is turning out to be a mega real estate scam, Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) leader K N Govindacharya said today.

Speaking to reporters here, he said the need of the hour was to launch a movement against SEZ policies of the Union and state Governments.

''All political parties are equally to be blamed. Bureaucrats take the lead and political leaders just follow them. They are hoodwinking the people and creating a boom for real estate business,'' he said.

Calling upon non-political organisations to launch an agitation he asked the Chamber of Commerce and Small Industry Association to extend support.

SJM would organise a massive rally in New Delhi on Gandhi Jayanti with 25,000 activists protesting the government's policy on SEZ.

Consultations and networking to join hands to fight against SEZ policies had begun, he added.

He said 53 SEZs were already functioning and another 162 were at various stages of implementation. More than 300 new applications were pending and this was expected to touch 1,000 in the coming days, he added.

UNI