My Govt not to tolerate anti-farmer SEZ, says Mayawati

New Delhi, Nov 20 (UNI) While promising all facilities to entrepreneurs and investors in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Mayawati today said her Government would not allow forcible acquisition of farmers' land for creation of Special Economic Zones (SEZ).

''We have amended the SEZ policy to ensure that farmers were not forced to part away with their land for setting up SEZ,'' she said at a news conference here.

Besides, the government had introduced complete transparency in the selection of developers of these zones and given top priority to encourage competition,'' she added.

In this connection, the Chief Minister pointed out that the government had sent proposals for creation of five IT SEZs in NOIDA, out of which the Centre had approved three.

Ms Mayawati, who had come to inaugurate the Uttar Pradesh pavilion at the ongoing India International Trade Fair, said the law and order situation in the state was fully conducive for investment.

The greatest proof was that 6000 entrepreneurs and industrialists had filed their memorandum on-line for setting up their industries this year.

''Our government had introduced the system of single table for providing facilities to entrepreneurs and made the procedure fully transparent, besides introducing E-tendering and E-procurement,'' she said.

Outlining the industrial priorities of her government, Ms Mayawati said the state was placing special emphasis on the food processing industry, beides the small, cottage and traditional and handicraft industries, as these had more employment possibilities.

Budgetary provisions have been made for these industries besides increasing the financial assistance to entreprenuers to encourage exports, she added.

Referring to the theme of this year's IITF 'Processed Food and Agro Industries', she said the state was fully ready to exploit the opportunity for its food processing industry.

In Uttar Pradesh, 34,000 food processing units were working having the investment of Rs 2600 crore and 2.68 lakh people were employed in it. Exports from this industry earned Rs 1500 crore last year, she said.

More UNI