Medha Patkar slams Centre for its SEZ policy

Social activist Medha Patkar has described Special Economic Zone (SEZs) policy of the Central Government as unconstitutional, and criticised the West Bengal administration for going ahead with its proposed industrial hub in a location other than Nandigram.

Kolkata, June 4 : Social activist Medha Patkar has described Special Economic Zone (SEZs) policy of the Central Government as unconstitutional, and criticised the West Bengal administration for going ahead with its proposed industrial hub in a location other than Nandigram.

"The way they are increasing their hold over the livelihood of the people by allowing the companies to loot the people that is not acceptable to us. The SEZ act is anti-national and anti-people. This is a law, but it is against the Constitution. The constitution says that if the plans for the villages are not made then the plans of the districts can also not be made. Then, how can the SEZ be imposed on the people" Patkar said at a rally on Sunday.

Carrying red flags, farmers attended the rally, which was organised by the All India People's Convention.

West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattachrjee has already announced plans for three industrial projects, but said rehabilitation would be his prime consideration.

The Left Front-led Government has eventually shelved plans for an industrial park at Nandigram that was to have been built with the help of Indonesia's Salim Group.

Soon after the stay on the Nandigram project, Bhattacharjee reaffirmed his commitment for the project, but at another location in the state.

Bhattacharjee came under fire from his Communist Party of India (Marxist) and alliance partners, who charged him with high-handedness and of not taking them into confidence on the matter.

Earlier this month, the Central Government ended a two-month freeze on low-tax SEZs like the one proposed for Nandigram.

ANI