Govt may go slow on SEZs

Our Bureau

Concept is here to stay and decisions taken are irreversible, says PM

Dr Manmohan Singh

New Delhi March 23 The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, on Friday
indicated that though there could be some slowdown in the setting up of
Special Economic Zones (SEZs), the concept was here to stay.

Faced with nationwide criticism of the West Bengal Government after the
Nandigram firing that killed 14 people opposing acquisition of farm land
for an SEZ, Dr Singh today hinted that the Government might go slow due
to the difficulties faced, but the decisions were irreversible.

Responding to questions at the India Today conclave on whether the
Government would revise the SEZ policy in view of the Nandigram
incident, Dr Singh said, "These are decisions which are irreversible.
Therefore, it is very important that before we move, if there are any
gaps in the performance, gaps in the design and gaps in the
implementation, we should halt a little bit even though it takes time."

The Prime Minister added that while "the challenges we face are after
all not so new," he went on to say that, "At the same time, there are
challenges which are truly new. The challenge of addressing the
ever-increasing consumption needs of billions of people."

"If all the developing countries of the world were to aim for a standard
of living which is currently seen in the more developed countries, we
need to reflect what the environmental consequences would be. Is our
planet capable of sustaining a high consumption lifestyle for all its
inhabitants? This is certainly a new challenge for which there are no
ready-made answers," he said.

Saying that India's energies should be focused on priorities at home,
the Prime Minister said, "We need a more competitive industry and a more
dynamic agricultural economy. Our energies must be focused on these
priorities at home. We must get our act together so that we can make the
best use of the opportunities presenting themselves before us."

Later, speaking at the conclave, the Minister for Commerce and Industry,
Mr Kamal Nath, asked the State governments to act with sensitivity
regarding land acquisition for industrial projects.

"State governments need to be sensitive on land acquisition," he said,
and added that not only the landowners but others making a living out of
the local economy should also be rehabilitated.

Mr Nath said that on an average as many as 10 people were living on each
hectare of land. The number of people who would be displaced by land
acquisition has increased and they should be properly rehabilitated, he
added.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/03/24/stories/2007032405200100.htm