Oppose SEZs, ryots urged

Correspondent

Systematic exploitation of natural resources alleged

VIZIANAGARAM: Former chairman of National SC/ST Commission B.D. Sharma
has said that indiscriminate permissions, being given to SEZs, will have
an adverse impact on the economy of farmers and farm labour and called
upon the latter to oppose the government move.

Speaking at a meeting on `land acquisition - impact on rural economy',
organised by Rythu Coolie Sangam here on Monday, Dr. Sharma said that in
the name of creating SEZs the government had been acquiring large extent
of agriculture lands and transferring them to capitalists.

Stating that he would not go into details, Dr. Sharma said that growing
imperialist globalisation had been leading to systematic exploitation of
natural resources.

Minimum wages

Taking a dig at the Union Government for not implementing his report on
minimum wages, Dr. Sharma said that the National Rural Employment
Guarantee Programme had become a `farce' as the wages being paid per day
to a beneficiary were not in accordance with the guidelines.

Agriculture economist K.R. Choudhury stressed the need to bring villages
largely inhibited by tribals under scheduled areas to protect the rights
of tribals.

Bauxite mining

He said that 1 of 70 legislation was not strictly implemented and asked
tribals to oppose bauxite mining.
http://www.hindu.com/2006/11/14/stories/2006111402750300.htm