The Hindu Business Line : Vizag development model is disastrous, says CPI(M)

The model adopted for the development of Visakhapatnam city and district by the State Government is lopsided, bound to marginalise large sections of people such as fishermen living on the Bay of Bengal and the Girijans in the interior mountainous tracts, besides the rural poor and peasants, according to CPM leaders Mr Ch. Narasinga Rao and Mr M.V.S. Sarma.

They were speaking at a seminar on integrated development of Visakhapatnam district on Friday, organised on the occasion of the valedictory function of the silver jubilee of Prajasakti, a Telugu daily run by the CPM.

Mr Y. Sivasagara Rao, Chairman and Managing Director of the Visakhapatnam steel plant, who was the chief guest, released a souvenir on the occasion.

Mr Narasinga Rao said that the Government's policies for development of Vizag were marked by gross neglect of public sector units such as the Hindusthan Shipyard and the BHPV and showering benefits on the private sector without showing the results in terms of employment generation and general prosperity for all sections of people.

Citing an example, he said that the capacity of the public sector Visakhapatnam steel plant was now being doubled to 6.3 million tonnes per annum at a cost of Rs 8,600 crore.

"There is a great deal of noise that it will usher in industrial development. In fact, originally, the plant capacity was pegged at 10 million tonnes, but was reduced to three million tonnes to cut down on costs.

"On the other hand, the Union Government and Orissa Government recently thought it fit to invite the Korean company, Posco, to set up a huge steel plant in that State. Captive iron ore mines are denied to the Vizag steel plant. Posco has no problem on that count or any other for that matter."

SEZs

Taking exception to the acquisition of 9,000 acres at Atchyuthapuram for setting up a special economic zone (SEZ), he said that the Government, not content with it, was trying to acquire 10,000 acres more in the face of stiff resistance from farmers.

"It is generally recognised that the holdings in Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam are small (one or two acres) and are held by marginal farmers. Snatching land from such farmers in the name of industrial development is a crime. We are not opposed to SEZs per se, but we will fight such policies."

Gangavaram port

Mr Sarma, Managing Editor of Prajasakti, expressed apprehensions that very soon there may be no fishermen left in Visakhapatnam, which originally was a fishing village.

"All along the coast, the Government is distributing lands to the private sector for setting up SEZs, apparel parks, tourist resorts and pharma cities. The Gangavaram port row exemplifies the utter lack of concern of the Government to the welfare of fishermen."

In sharp contrast to the gloomy scenario presented by the CPM leaders, while releasing the souvenir Mr Sivasagara Rao said that Vizag was poised for a great leap forward and the expansion of the Vizag steel capacity would be a milestone. The plant, he added, would strive hard for the all-round development of the city and the district.

Mr Jaheer Ahmed, a Telugu Desam leader, also spoke.

More Stories on : Economy | Urban Development | Politics | Andhra Pradesh

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page