eGoM to ‘distinctively’ consider SEZ proposals

ECONOMY BUREAU
Posted online: Friday, March 16, 2007 at 0000 hours IST




NEW DELHI, MAR 15 : Following violence at the Nandigram special
economic zone (SEZ) over land acquisition, commerce and industry
minister Kamal Nath on Thursday said the upcoming empowered group of
ministers (eGoM) meeting would consider "distinctively" the SEZ
proposals where land acquisition was with and without legal hassles.
In most of the 171 proposals, which have received formal approval and
are awaiting notification, land has been acquired without any litigation
and by giving adequate compensation. Though uncertanity prevails over
the date of the next eGoM, Nath defended the SEZ policy and told
reporters that it was not right to blame the violence in Nandigram on
the SEZ policy. "We should not look at it as an SEZ issue but one of
land acquisition for industrial projects," he said. Terming the
Nandigram incident "unfortunate", he said "Land acquisition for all
industrial purposes should be equitable, transparent and inclusive of
farmers." Asked if the violence could slow down approvals of fresh SEZ
proposals, Nath said there was no dispute over land acquisition in
several pending applications. Nath said the Centre has asked the state
governments to give details of land acquisition and the categories of
land available. He added that replies of the states would be submitted
to the eGoM for directions on SEZs.

The eGoM on SEZs headed by external affairs minister Pranab Mukkerjee
has not met since January. Fresh approvals and notifications have been
put on hold as the last meeting could not take a decision on land
acquisition issues and rehabilitation.

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