New Delhi, June 20, 2007: Social activist Medha Patkar today dubbed the special economic zones “special exploitation zones” and asked the government to immediately repeal the Special Economic Zones Act, 2005. Speaking at the All India Citizen’s Convention, held at Hindi Bhavan against SEZs and the atrocities inflicted upon the people of Nandigram, Ms Patkar said “old measures of fight” have become irrelevant and emphasised on adopting “militant measures”.
The convention was attended by the former Chief Justice of Delhi High Court, Mr Rajinder Sachar, former secretary, land and land revenue, West Bengal government, Mr D Bandopadhyaya, and other eminent personalities. The speakers discussed the loopholes in the Special Economic Zones policy and concluded that SEZs would in fact lead to loss of livelihood for millions of people as against the claims of the government to generate large scale employment.
During the day-long convention, a resolution was adopted condemning the land acquisitions by state governments for the Special Economic Zones and demanded immediate action by the Centre to repeal the Special Economic Zones Act, 2005. The convention ended with the formation of an all-India committee against Special Economic Zones and forcible acquisition of land.
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