Kisan Sangh opposes acquisition of fertile lands for SEZs

Udupi, Sep 24 (UNI) Bharatiya Kisan Sangh's (BKS) district unit here today strongly opposed forcible acquisition of fertile lands for Special Economic Zones (SEZ).

Addressing the farmers at a meeting here, BKS State Convener B V Poojary said the farmers in the country are forced to discontinue agriculture due to the Centre's 'anti-farmer' policies.

The BKS would organise nation-wide awareness campaign and agitation against the exploitation of farmers and the government policies, he said.

Stating that the current situation will lead to food scarcity in the country, he said, ''The government should fix a support price pattern for agricultural produce to help farmers.'' Speaking at the meeting, Mr Rameshraju, member of the Organic Farming Mission (OFM) and Executive President, BKS (Mandya unit), charged the Centre with taking special interest on establishing SEZs in the country by selling fertile lands to the Multi-National Companies (MNCs), besides providing several concessions and relaxations.

Such SEZs will only benefit the MNCs, incurring economic loss to India, he opined.

Calling upon the farmers in the country to fight against the policies of the Centre, he alleged that the Union and State Governments are ignoring all protests against the SEZs in the country.

Later, the farmers submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner of Udupi.

UNI MA SIV SG HS1646