Opposition criticises proposal for Nandagudi SEZ

Bangalore, July 31 (UNI) Opposition members in the Karnataka Assembly today made a vain bid to move an adjournment motion over the proposed Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at Nandagudi near the International Airport on the outskirts of the city.

Opposition leader N Dharam Singh, who sought to move the motion, prevailed upon the Speaker to convince their arguments with regard to the issue. They contended that the proposal was being considered ignoring the interests of the farmers in the area.

In his preliminary submission, Mr Singh pointed out that there were 10 proposals before the government of which nine were SEZs and a satellite city at Bidadi. Land acquisition process had been completed already with regard to 1,394 acres of the total proposed 13,725 acres, he added.

the proposal hit the farmers, engaged in their traditional occupation of agriculture, horticulture and animal husbandry and would evict over 36,000 farmer families in 36 villages, he contended.

He stressed that the Congress was not opposed to the idea of SEZs and industrialisation. However, sufficient care should be taken to see that weaker sections of the society were protected, he added.

Former Deputy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who also spoke on the issue, alleged the government had prepared the proposal to acquire 1,19,554 acres in and around the city covering Bangalore Urban, Bangalore Rural and Kolar districts.

The discussion was inconclusive when the House was adjourned for the day.

Major and Medium Industry Minister Katta Subramanya Naidu was likely to reply on the issue tomorrow.

UNI