The Hindu Business Line : Kakinada farmers oppose move to acquire fertile land for SEZ

HUNDREDS of farmers mobbed the East Godavari Collectorate on Wednesday evening when a meeting was convened to discuss the question of land acquisition for the proposed oil refinery and special economic zone to be set up by ONGC in the district. It is estimated that 10,000 acres of land is needed for the project.

The agitated farmers shouted slogans against the local MLA, Mr M. Gopalakrishna, and blocked his car from entering the Collectorate.

His car was chased away from the spot and he made a rear entry and participated in the meeting. The MLA incurred the wrath of farmers for expressing his view that land for the refinery and SEZ should be acquired in the Kakinada rural mandal.

The farmers and several of their representatives made it clear that they were not willing to part with fertile lands in the Kakinada rural mandal under the Pithapuram branch canal (Godavari canal). They suggested that less valuable arid lands in the uplands (20-30 km from Kakinada) in the Kothapalli and Thondangi mandals could be acquired for the purpose.

Mr V. Venkateswara Rao and Mr J. Nehru, district Telugu Desam leaders, said they were not opposed to the projects, but sought that they should be located at a site which would require minimum displacement.

All efforts should be made to protect valuable farmlands, they said. There should be transparency and sought a proper relief and rehabilitation package.

They questioned the propriety of giving 26 per cent stake in the special economic zone to the Kakinada Seaports Ltd, the private consortium managing the Kakinada deepwater port, as the Congress leaders now in power were vocal in criticising the KSL when they were in the Opposition.

"When we (the then Telugu Desam Government) chose the KSL to manage the deepwater port, the Congress leaders were hauling us over the coals. We are amused by the volte-face now. How does the Congress Government explain the decision," they said.

To this poser, Mr J. Ramamohana Rao, Roads and Buildings Minister, presiding over the meeting, said that it was not possible for the Government to undo all the damage done by the TDP Government. He appealed to them to refrain from scoring debating points and co-operate with the Government.

Mr Somayajulu, adviser to the Government, assured farmers that it was not the intention of the Government to acquire fertile farmlands for the project and all efforts would be made to protect the irrigated lands. "This Government is taking up irrigation projects worth Rs 50,000 crore. Why will it dispossess farmers of valuable lands," he asked.

The district unit of the CPI supported the land acquisition , but urged the Government to protect the interests of farmers.

The issues remained unresolved at the end of a stormy meeting, but Mr Ramamohana Rao, R&B Minister, assured farmers that not more than 1,000-1100 acres would be acquired near the Kakinada port for the project and the rest would be acquired in the upland mandals.

The assurance did not satisfy the farmers.

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