The Hindu Business Line : Singur SEZ package is ideal, says Yechury

Advertisement

Visakhapatnam Feb. 6 There is a need for bringing about amendments in the Special Economic Zones Act to do justice to those losing lands and also to ensure proper use of land acquired for the purpose, according to Mr Sitaram Yechury, Polit Bureau member of the CPI (M) and also member of the Rajya Sabha.

At a press meet here on Tuesday, he said the Singur SEZ package was ideal and other States should emulate West Bengal in this respect. He said that farmers should be paid 50 per cent more than the market rate for the lands acquired for SEZs.

Besides, he said, 50 per cent of the land allotted for SEZs should be used for production, which currently was only 25, and 25 per cent should be used for infrastructure development. The remaining 25 per cent should be used for commercial housing.

He said the compensation package should also take into account the agricultural labour in the area and they should also be compensated. They should be imparted training and absorbed in the units coming up in SEZs.

He said there was nothing wrong in acquiring agricultural lands, if it was absolutely necessary, provided only one crop was being grown on the land and it was a rainfed area.

Referring to the Singur controversy, Mr Yechury said, "We have acquired 1,000 acres by paying 150 per cent of the market rate to the affected farmers and we have also compensated the labour dependent on the farm land. Therefore, there is no justification for an agitation. Both the Congress and Trinamool Congress are distorting facts."

Rehabilitation

On the group of ministers set up under the chairmanship of Mr Pranab Mukherjee for evolving a proper rehabilitation policy for those affected by SEZs, he said there should be a uniform policy for all States. "We also want the tax concessions to be reviewed. Besides, the labour laws should be implemented in SEZs," he said.

He said the Union Government was in favour of implementing labour laws in SEZs, but the States would have to pass the requisite laws, as it was a State subject. "Therefore, we want the Centre to issue a directive to the States," he added.

Mr Yechury, also the chairman of the Parliamentary standing committee on transport, tourism and culture, said all efforts would be made to develop inland waterways in the State and country.

More Stories on : Infrastructure | Real Estate & Construction | Politics | Andhra Pradesh

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