People's Democracy

Bring Changes In SEZ Act And Rules

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) issued the following statement on January 18, 2007

THE reported government decision to put on hold all proposals for Special Economic Zones is a welcome step but it must be linked with bringing in fundamental changes in the present SEZ Act. As the CPI(M) has been arguing, it is essential to (1) include a land use clause to put a ceiling on the land, to define the nature of land which may be used and to ensure that at least 50 per cent of the land must be used for manufacturing, processing and 25 per cent for infrastructural purposes; (2) to ensure a full rehabilitation policy for those affected; (3) removal of tax and other concessions now being offered for the creation of SEZs; and (4) guarantee of labour laws within SEZs.

At the same time, the CPI(M) has also called for a complete reworking of the Land Acquisition Act 1894 to strengthen the rights of land losers, tenants and agricultural workers and all those whose livelihood depends on the land.

The CPI(M) and the Left parties have submitted a detailed note to the government on all these issues and calls upon the government to bring the necessary changes in the laws for discussion and adoption in the forthcoming session of parliament.