SEZ policy with new acquisition law soon, says Cong

NEW DELHI: Signalling fresh policy moves on the SEZ front, Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday said the Manmohan Singh government is expected to clear “very soon” a new rehabilitation and resettlement policy and a legislation on the issue by making changes in the Land Acquisition Act.

Spelling out the Congress stand on setting up SEZs, Ms Gandhi told the CPP meeting: “Our party’s position is very clear. Land acquisition for these SEZs, like indeed for any economic activity, must be done in a transparent manner.

It must also be done in a manner that fully protects the interests of the farmers and of those whose livelihood are dependent on the lands being acquired.” She said, keeping this views in mind, the GoM led by Mr Pranab Mukherjee “has only cleared those SEZs where fresh land acquisition is not required or where land acquisition had alredy taken place”.

In an apparent reference to Nandigram clashes as well incidents in Haryana and certain other places, she said in the past few months, issues related to SEZs have come into prominence in some states leading to violence and tragic consequences.

On concerns over rising prices, she said while Government steps to control prices of essential commodities were making ‘some impact”, there was need to “maintain the closest vigil” on the price front.

Gujarat incidents flayed: Condemning the fake-encouter killings in Gujarat for which some IPS officers have been taken into custody, Ms Gandhi said “it is apparent that these sections (the allegedly guilty cops) enjoy high-level patronage.

This reflects utter and deliberate contempt for the rule of law to promote ideological prejudices. This also reflects the blatantly partisan attitude of the state government where an issue of human rights has been given a communal colour”.

She also made some indirect criticism of the incidents of attack on artists in Gujarat bythe Sangh Parivar moral police. She called upon the party men to work unitedly to ensure the party victory in the next Assembly elections in Goa and Gujarat.