SEZ issue rocks Orissa assembly
Opposition demands no mineral-based industry be given Special Economic Zone status.
By PTI |
BHUBANESWAR: The issue of Special Economic Zones rocked the Orissa assembly on Tuesday with the opposition vociferously demanding that no mineral-based industry should be given the status of SEZ.
Unruly scenes were witnessed in the House as opposition members descended into the well shouting slogans against SEZs and demanding that the legislature should adopt a resolution not to give the status to any mineral-based industry.
Industries Minister Biswabhushan Harichandan, while noting that the SEZ Act was formulated by the UPA government at the Centre, said the government would examine the concern expressed by the members.
Dissatisfied with the Minister's statement, the opposition staged a walk-out.
The Minister then assured the House that the government would ensure that the interests of the state, and in particular that of the farmers, were never compromised even if SEZs were set up.
The issue was raised through adjournment motions by the opposition and calling attention notices by ruling BJD-BJP members.
Harichandan said the state's SEZ policy was under formulation and due care would be taken of the land use so that the double-crop agricultural land, forest land and heavily populated areas were avoided as far as practicable.
Assessment of land for the SEZs would be based on rigorous industry norms so that unnecessary extra land was not acquired, he said adding, the land for SEZ would be given on lease and provision would be made in the policy for reuse of unutilised land.
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