No SEZs in fertile farmlands: Reddy

Hyderabad , Sept. 26

The Andhra Pradesh Government has said that it would not take up special economic zones (SEZs) in fertile agricultural lands.

Addressing the 34th Formation Day celebrations of the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) here on Tuesday, the Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, echoed the views expressed by Ms Sonia Gandhi, Congress President and Chairperson of UPA's National Advisory Council, at Nainital recently in this regard.

Dr Reddy assured that the Government would adequately compensate the farmers if they were to be displaced to make way for the SEZs.

The APIIC has set up a Rs 50-crore environmental management fund to prepare comprehensive environmental management plans for different industrial parks in the State.

The corporation would take the help of GTZ, the Technical Cooperation Agency of Germany, to prepare modalities for evolving the plans.

Maintenance fund


He said the outlay for the annual maintenance fund, started last year by APIIC, would be enhanced to Rs 50 crore. The funds would be used to upgrade the facilities in all the parks and ensure better up-keep.

The corporation would also revamp IALAs (Industrial Areas Local Authorities), set up in 1994.

The corporation would set up a Rs 5-crore IALA support fund to help these bodies to prepare plans for improvement of revenues in their respective industrial areas.
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/09/27/stories/2006092703091900.htm

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