Citizens’ Research Collective on SEZ

National Strategy Meet against SEZ
19th & 20th December’07
Gandhi Peace Foundation
221/223 D.D.U Marg, New Delhi

The SEZ Act should be repealed. There are countless initiatives and movements against SEZs and SEZ Legislation across the country post 2005 raising a demand for it. The initiatives range from mass action by people’s movement under the banner of Action 2007, legislative lobbying over past one year or direct conflict and confrontation in Nandigram (West Bengal), Raigad (Maharashtra), Nandiguda (Karnataka), Jagatsinghpur (Orissa), Jhajjhar (Haryana) and many others. It is apparent that many are keen to see the Act repealed.

There is a growing consensus among affected and concerned people that the SEZ Act cannot be amended for public benefit. It has to be repealed and lands acquired under the Act should be de-notified.

No one can deny the fact that the political turmoil in Nandigram started due to SEZ. A large and growing number of people around the country are becoming aware of the menace of Special Economic Zones that are being developed in over 15 states since the passing of the SEZ Act in 2005. Prime agricultural lands are being taken away from farmers (often with negligible compensation and by use of State force). Landless workers are losing their livelihoods without any compensation whatsoever. No doubt that the country’s long-term food security is being endangered by the policy. Long-term environmental consequences are also likely to be severe. Given the water and other infrastructural commitments that have been made in the policy, the ecological footprint of a SEZ is far larger than the area technically committed to it. In addition to all these pre-acquisition issues, it is far from clear that SEZ will become sound economic enterprises on their own and will not in the end prove to be a means for the corporate sector to accumulate land banks in a time of booming real estate. Perhaps we all have already started realizing these impacts in our daily lives and surroundings.

There are protests, growing in number, intensity and frequency with each passing day. Places like Goa, Orissa, Gurgaon, Raigad, Wagholi, Jhajjar, Barnala, Nandagudi and Mangalore keep hitting the headlines frequently. State governments are changing decisions almost everyday on projects under various political parties’ influence. People are left in lurch to see their demands met some day, if ever, with no option left.

What is now needed is to gear up much coordinated unremitting national effort demanding the immediate repeal of the SEZ Act. 2008 is a crucial year. It is going to be the year prior to the year of the next general elections. As major political parties prepare to campaign for votes by offering sops to the poor masses, it is crucial to catch the political wind and apply public pressure (in the right places at the right times) for the scrapping of the SEZ Act.

It is to discuss strategies for organizing and mobilizing people to challenge the SEZ legislation and set our clear demands for next election in a coordinated way that some of us wish to call a meeting in New Delhi next month. The meeting will be focused sharply on:

1. the strategies that need to be used to continue support to SEZ struggles across the country
2. planning of a National Action
3. strengthening regional processes by organising meetings/ protests
4. decision on informative material to be prepared and used for the above mentioned processes

It will not, primarily, be a forum for expanding intellectual and research horizons.

Our hope is that we will all come together in time to challenge the Act before it’s too late.

In Solidarity,

PAIRVI NAPM, DELHI, NCAS JAN SANGHARSH VAHINI

ASEEM SRIVASTAV VIDYA BHUSHAN RAWAT JOSH

For further Inquiries Kindly Contact:

Ms. Rifat Mumtaz (NCAS),- 020-22952003/ 9970363452, Prakash Gardia (NCAS,Delhi) -9868452701/011-26567309

Mr. Aseem Srivastav - 95124-2353203/2357230

Dr. Rajendra Ravi (NAPM) – 9868200316

Ms. Priya Sastry (Pairvi) - 011 – 28841266/65151897

Ms. Aheli Chowdury (Josh) - 9811765959

Mr. Vidya Bhushan Rawat - 011 – 65902846/22462528

Mr. Bhupendra Singh Rawat – 20506929

(Jan Sangharsh Vahini)

Note:
Since this is an unfunded meeting we would not be able to reimburse travel fare to everyone. However, reimbursement of Sleeper class (Non AC) train fare will be considered only for people of Movements, and few requests for travel reimbursement can be considered in case of activists coming from regions (if expressed well in advance) . We propose to consider nominal registration fee of Rs. 50/ from the participants towards meals and stationary. Organizers will arrange modest boarding and lodging facilities at Gandhi Peace Foundation. Please let us know your travel plans in advance, to facilitate and ensure board and lodge arrangements.