Reconsider plan to create SEZs: PMK

Staff Reporter

They will not generate employment opportunities: Ramadoss They will not
generate job opportunity: Ramadoss

S. Ramdoss

MADURAI: The Pattali Makkal Katchi has called for a reconsideration of a
plan to create special economic zones (SEZs).

"The SEZs that will make only a few persons crorepatis should be
reconsidered," party founder-president S. Ramadoss said.

Talking to newsmen here on Friday, he said no concessional finance and
tax holiday should be given to the SEZs as they would not generate any
employment opportunity. Stating that over 23 crore people in the country
were struggling for one square meal a day, Dr. Ramadoss said extending
concessions to projects that did not help in even poverty reduction was
not acceptable.

On the one hand the Government was introducing schemes to alleviate
poverty and on the other it was promoting "useless" projects. "Such
contradictory approach will not help in poverty reduction." Instead, the
Government should encourage industrial estates for small industries that
would generate job opportunities.

The Union Government should introduce the Reservation Bill in the next
session of Parliament. Twentyseven per cent reservation for Other
Backward Classes should be implemented at one stroke and not in a
staggered manner.

"Reservation should be both in Government and private sector as the
Constitution has not discriminated between public and Government
sectors," he added.

http://www.hindu.com/2006/10/07/stories/2006100715410700.htm