CPI(M) opposes land acquisition for SEZ

Party mulls legal action, if necessary, to stop the process  
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9,200 acres acquired under the first phase
Ryots denied compensation for 2,000 acres, he says
Land acquired in surplus for many industries in the past, he says
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VISAKHAPATNAM: CPI (M) district secretary Ch. Narsinga Rao on Wednesday criticised the move to acquire 10,000 acres for second project of the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Achutapuram, Rambilli and Parawada mandals in the district.

`Stiff resistance'


He said the meeting held by the district-level negotiation committee on Tuesday by Joint Collector Sandeep Kumar Sultania had failed to take any decision owing to stiff resistance from farmers to the notification to acquire 2,100 acres in Achutapuram and Parawada mandals to begin work immediately for the second phase.

Stating that if necessary their party would take legal action to stop acquisition, Mr. Rao said the Government should not acquire lands from farmers for industries.

Under the first phase, the authorities had acquired 9,200 acres.

The CPI (M) leader said the authorities had not yet paid compensation to farmers from whom 2,000 acres was acquired. The Government denied them compensation on the pretext that they had no pattas, he said.

"It is a tragedy that those cultivating the lands in question for two to three generations had been reduced to paupers and those who bought lands near SEZ area are now selling them at the rate of Rs.30 lakhs per acre," he alleged.

Compensation


The Government had paid a compensation of Rs.2.95 lakh an acre to oustees.

Mr. Rao said lands in surplus had been acquired in the past for various industries. For instance, 28,000 acres of land was acquired for the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant though it had put up its plant, township and other ventures on an area of 7,500 acres. Part of the land acquired for the VSP was subsequently allotted to private management, he said.

http://www.hindu.com/2006/09/28/stories/2006092811510300.htm