No compromise on SEZ: Veliyam

Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 24 (UNI) The Communist Party of India (CPI), a coalition-partner in the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) government in Kerala today said the new Special Economic Zones (SEZ) should be allotted only with specific criteria and conditions.

Talking to mediapersons here, party State Secretary Veliyam Bharghavan suggested that the government should think of all possibilities about bringing in a new legislation in this regard.

Stating that there was no compromise on the SEZ, he said only production-based units should be allowed, restricting real-estate activities. No agricultural land should be released for SEZ, he added.

Mr Bharghavan said the issue was discussed in the last LDF meeting and it had decided to bring in a new legislation ensuring the working hours, wages and the organisational rights of the workers.

The issue had been discussed in the Cabinet and if necessary, it would be discussed in the future.

However, the veteran CPI leader rejected media-reports stating that there was a difference of opinion in the LDF on the SEZ issue.

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