PMK warns the state against SEZs

Thursday October 26 2006 13:24 IST
CHENNAI: The Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), a key DMK ally, has warned the
State government against allowing SEZs that could deprive the
agricultural labourers of their livelihood.

The party was reacting to the reported plans of the DMK government to
set up quite a few Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in the State.

“Tamil Nadu cannot afford SEZs at the cost of farming,” cautioned PMK
founder Dr S Ramadoss at a seminar on ‘Impact of SEZs’.

In his concluding remarks at the seminar, organised by Pasumai Thayagam
here on Wednesday, he suggested to the government to set up SEZs in
SIPCOT industrial estates that have turned sick and not in agricultural
fields.

The satellite town near Chennai could have affected the livelihood in
144 villages, he opined and thanked the Chief Minister for acceding to
his demand and dropping the plan immediately.

Referring to the cases related to SIPCOT industrial complexes, a cluster
of sick units, Ramadoss criticised the owners for enjoying all tax
benefits for five years and declaring the units as “sick” when they had
to pay taxes.

The Government could take up such industrial complexes and form SEZs
there, he strongly suggested; the Small Scale Industries always catered
to the local populace, he added.

“Setting up SEZs in the name of foreign exchange is not at all
acceptable,” he stated categorically.

He also alleged that the much-publicised MNC shops near Sriperumpudhur
have not provided employment opportunities to the local people as expected.

Only a few were employed, that too at a lower grade, he added.

The PMK would conduct awareness programmes to sensitise the people and
the politicians on the SEZ issue, he said.

TNCC president M Krishnassamy assured that his party would always
support poor peasants and safeguard their interests.

D Pandian, state secretary, CPI, said SEZs could be permitted without
any special concessions provided the local community got adequate job
opportunities.

He was against the idea of letting the SEZs to function as ‘islands’
where no law of the land would be implemented.

T K Rangarajan, central committee member, CPM, wanted like-minded
parties and organisations to join hands on issues affecting the people
and work together for a social cause.

N Ram, Editor-in-Chief, The Hindu, warned that the policy would fizzle
out if the government did not find answers to the important questions
raised by various organisations.

PMK president G K Mani presided. Sowmya Anbumani, chairperson, Pasumai
Thayagam, welcomed. Chengalpattu MP A K Moorthy proposed vote of thanks.
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