Left divided over Centre's decision to put SEZs on hold
By TNN |
Highlights
NEW DELHI: The CPM���s theatre of the absurd on SEZs continued to unfold as the party on Thursday welcomed the Centre���s decision to put on hold all SEZ proposals, a move that may have been prompted by the Nandigram episode.
The Marxists, divided on the issue in Kerala and in the eye of the storm over land acquisition in West Bengal, took a pro-oustees��� stand and demanded changes in existing laws in the budget session of Parliament.
���The government���s reported 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,��� the CPM politburo said.
The party reiterated the changes sought by it, which included a ceiling on land, using 50% of land for manufacturing and processing and 25% for infrastructural purposes, ensuring a full rehabilitation policy for those affected, removal of tax and other concessions and guarantee of labour laws within the zones.
���At the same time, the CPM 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 CPM said.
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The statement comes even as comrades in LDF-ruled Kerala propose SEZs in the draft industrial policy, an idea which has met with chief minister VS Achuthanandan���s disapproval on the ground that it would deprive farmers of their livelihood. Though Left Front in West Bengal has decided to slow down in the face of fierce protests in Nandigram, it has not indicated any intention to withdraw its SEZ proposals.
While seven SEZs had been approved in West Bengal, 11 were pending with the centre. In fact, the state government has promised the same benefits that as the Left has been asking the centre to withdraw to lure investors, the same reason which the centre gave for rejecting the demand to cut tax benefits.
The CPM���s argument is that the Left-ruled states should not be left behind in the race for SEZs. But it is West Bengal which has turned the tide against SEZs and brought the CPM under attack not just from opponents but its fellow-travellers. The CPM-led governments have also not shared the Left���s demand for putting a cap on number of SEZs.
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