Citizens’ Research Collective on SEZ

Mangalore, November 25, 2007: It was the inaugural programme of Krishi Vignan Kendra (KVK) building at the College of Fisheries at Yekkur where the farmers affected by Mangalore Special Economic Zone (MSEZ) vented out their frustration and pangs of losing land.

Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha office-bearer Sunny D’Souza interrupted the programme proceedings and said that the dignitaries on the dais, especially the Agriculture University Vice-Chancellor Dr P G Chengappa and Bharathiya Krishi Anusandhana Parishat Deputy Director Dr P Das must hold a visit to the affected area, conduct a study and submit a report on the conditions of the land, whether it is fit for agriculture or not.

Without settling with evasive answers from the dignitaries, Mr D’Souza backed by several other agriculturists said that what was the need to pour crores of rupees on such KVKs when thousands of acres of fertile lands are being handed over for industrial purposes.

The programme organisers tried to console the farmers and requested the farmers to listen to the speeches.

Raged by this, the farmers said that they were fed up of listening to speeches all these years and now they need concrete answers.

Intervening between the argument, Zilla Panchayat President Sucharitha Shetty trying to console the angry farmers said that he was not aware of SEZ and the problems it was creating to the farmers.

Farmers mocked at the ignorance of people’s representative who was unaware of the biggest debate happening in the region. However, after Sucharitha Shetty assured the farmers that we would see to it that a study will be taken up at the earliest, the farmers decided to walk out of the place.

However, Dr P G Chengappa said that since SEZ is a central government policy, they have to abide by the system and work within the framework.

“We can conduct a study as demanded by the farmers only when we receive an order from the local administartion or the centre. We cannot voluntarily take up such studies,” he said.

Source: Deccan Herald