SEZs were our idea: BJP

POLITICAL BUREAU
Posted online: Wednesday, October 11, 2006 at 0000 hours IST

NEW DELHI, OCT 10: Pointing out that SEZs were the brainchild of the NDA
government, the BJP came out in strong support of special economic zones
(SEZs) on Tuesday. They said it would boost economic growth but stressed
that it should not come up on fertile agricultural land.
The right wing party does not want the current Congress-led-coalition to
take credit for the SEZs.

“We, in principle, are in favour of SEZs. It will lead to an increase in
GDP. But there should be no scope for abuse while setting up SEZs,” said
senior BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu, who heads a special panel mandated to
outline the party’s SEZ strategy.

The panel held its third meeting on Tuesday in Delhi, and also heard
views from representatives of industrial bodies such as CII, FICCI,
PHDCCI and Assocham.

“The committee will submit its comprehensive report on SEZs to party
chief Rajnath Singh in the first week of November,” Naidu said.

He said that the panel was looking into concerns about regional balance,
role of real estate developers and the “exploitation” of farmers while
setting up SEZs.

“The BJP is not in favour of acquisition of fertile land for creating
SEZs,” he said.

http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=143003