SEZ policy anti-farmer: Kelkar

Ratlam, MP, Aug 9 (UNI) Bharatiya Kisan Sangh's National Secretary has described the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Act as anti-farmer and dangerous for national security.

Talking to UNI before leaving for Gujarat, Mr Kelkar alleged the Centre did not keep in mind the welfare of farmers while preparing the SEZ Act.

Farmers in West Bengal, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh had protested against the SEZ Act, as it was anti-farmer.

Mr Kelkar claimed the Defence Ministry had advised the Centre to exercise caution over the SEZ issue. Armed forces had also suggested that SEZs should be set up at least 20 km away from sensitive areas such as air fields.

Providing tax relief to SEZ under the policy would cause a loss of Rs 60,000 crore in tax revenue to the country in six years.

''Only 25 per cent of the land acquired for SEZ would be used for production, while rest of the land would be used by industrialists for other commercial activities,'' Mr Kelkar said.

He said about 1.34 lakh hectare land would be acquired for SEZ in the country rendering several small and marginal farmers landless.

Mr Kelkar said the Centre should reconsider the SEZ Act so that the welfare of farmers and national security was not jeopardized.

The Kisan Sangh would launch a public awareness campaign against SEZs in Madhya Pradesh next month. Rallies would be organised and demonstrations staged in about 5,000 villages from September 25 to October 2.

UNI