SEZ land acquisition figures at DRC meet

Correspondent

Minister clarifies on software park administrative office

Kakinada: The propriety in acquisition of huge extent of land for the
SEZ when the ONGC has reportedly developed second thoughts on
establishing its refinery was questioned at the District Review
Committee (DRC) meeting here on Sunday.

Raising the issue during question hour, Mutha Gopalakrishna, MLA, said
that the SEZ promoters were now claiming that they require 8,355 acres
for fifteen industries that include 1000 MW power project and wind
mills, which were not export oriented. When he was trying to read out
the reply he received from the SEZ promoters, he was interrupted by
Anisetti Bullebbai Reddy Sampara, MLA of Congress, saying that it was to
be raised only on the floor of the Assembly not here.

The Minister for Roads and Buildings Jakkampudi Ramamohana Rao also
joined him saying that the Chief Minister had already clarified the
position and his word was final, thus making the subject closed.

Support to MLA

Contrary to the SEZ and Refinery, the Congress MLAs backed the objection
raised by Mutha Gopalakrishna on locating the STPI (Software park of
India) administrative office in the Pranalika Bhavan in the
Collectorate. They questioned the propriety in allowing private
companies to occupy the building posing a security threat to the VIPs
staying in the adjoining R & B guesthouse.

Telugu Desam MLA Babu Ramesh also joined them in demanding that a
private building somewhere in the city to be allotted to the STPI
instead of causing congestion in the Collectorate.

Sabita Indra Reddy, district in-charge Minister, while amazed over the
stance of the MLAs, clarified that the building was given to the Central
Government for the purpose of setting up the STPI immediately but not to
private companies.

She said it was very much beneficial to the people especially the
educated youth by way of generating lot of employment avenues.

Moreover, it was decided by the Chief Minister taking into consideration
the urgency and utility.

She also clarified that private IT companies would use the building as
the incubation centre and move away to their own place later but not
stay permanently.

The MLAs then reluctantly gave their approval for the government's
action on the STPI.

http://www.hindu.com/2006/11/13/stories/2006111305130300.htm