Policy on SEZ irreversible: Manmohan

New Delhi: Facing criticism on the Special Economic Zone issue,
particularly after the police firing at Nandigram in West Bengal, Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday hinted at the Government going slow on
the process due to ``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,'' Dr. Singh said at the India
Today conclave here.

His comments came in response to a question whether the 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 that these concerns were needed to be
addressed ``if we want the policy to succeed in the long run.''

Land acquisition

The Prime Minister said that on the issue of land acquisition for public
purposes ``there have been inadequacies in compensation and in ensuring
that interest of all stakeholders who suffer in this process are taken
into account''.

The Government was in the process of formulating a ``humane, effective
and just policy'' with regard to resettlement of land oustees, Dr. Singh
said.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/03/24/stories/2007032401071300.htm