Involve farmers in SEZs, says BJP

Staff Reporter

Venkaiah Naidu for payment of the triple value for land

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Dry lands could be allotted for business activity
Governments lacking transparency in SEZs
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KADAPA: Senior BJP leader M. Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday favoured setting
up of special economic zones (SEZs) but demanded farmers' participation
in them and payment of triple the market value for their lands.

Moreover, farmers should be given 15 per cent share in the commercial
establishments for which they parted with their lands, Mr. Naidu
asserted at a press conference at Proddatur.

The NDA Government had mooted establishment of SEZs in April 2000 with a
view to promoting economic activity and generating employment, he
recalled. More SEZs could be set up in the State in addition to those at
Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam, the BJP leader said.

Farmers neglected

Companies permitted under SEZs should be directed to complete works
within two years, he added.

Referring to reports that cultivable lands were being purchased for
SEZs, he said dry lands could be allotted for business activity.

He charged the Central and State Governments with lacking transparency
in setting up of SEZs.

Despite regaining power with promises to ensure their welfare, farmers
were being neglected and hence SEZs were being opposed in the country,
he alleged.

Mr. Venkaiah Naidu demanded implementation of the resolutions of
`Sanathana Dharma Prachara Sadassu' at Tirupati.

Income generated from endowment lands and properties should be purely
utilised for development of temples and spiritual activities, he said.

Price rise

Later, addressing partymen on Sri Saraswati Vidya Mandir premises at
Proddatur, he accused the Central and State Governments of failing to
contain steep price rise of essential commodities.

BJP State Yuva Morcha convenor Bhanuprakash Reddy, State BJP
vice-president Challapalli Narasimha Reddy, district president K.V.
Ramana Reddy and leaders N. Bali Reddy and K. Ramesh Reddy participated.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/02/05/stories/2007020509850300.htm