Govt may plug SEZ loopholes, won’t step back
NEW DELHI: Facing criticism on the SEZ issue, particularly after the
Nandigram police firing, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday hinted
that the government would go slow on the process due to certain
"inadequacies", but made it clear that the decision was "irreversible".
"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," Mr Singh said at a conclave here.
His comments came in response to a question whether government proposed
to overhaul the SEZ policy in view of strong reservations in several
quarters. But the cost of delay was going to be much less than the cost
that would arise if policies were "bulldozed" regardless of the human,
social and economic concerns, he said adding these concerns needed to be
addressed "if we want the policy to succeed in the long run".
On the issue of land acquisition for public purposes, the PM said "there
have been inadequacies in compensation and in ensuring that interests of
all stakeholders who suffer in this process are taken into account". The
government was in the process of formulating "humane, effective and just
policy" with regard to resettlement of land oustees", Mr Singh added.
Asked about PDP patron Mufti Mohd Sayeed's demand for troop reduction
from civilian areas in Jammu and Kashmir, he said the process of
discussion was under way and he would not like to conduct a dialogue
through the media. The Prime Minister, however, emphasised that
professional advice (from the Army) would be taken into account before
considering the issue.
posted by Sudarshan Rodriguez at 9:57 PM
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