New Delhi, March 7, 2008 (PTI): Government will initiate a study to assess the impact of Special Economic Zones on farmers whose land has been acquired for tax-free enclaves. The study, to be commissioned by commerce ministry, would be initiated from April and is likely to be completed in the next six to seven months, a senior official told PTI.

“It would be a micro study. We would undertake a field study of the areas where Special Economic Zones are being developed,” he said, adding that about 12 institutes including think tank cuts would be involved in the study.

The study would assess the way farmers, who have sold their land, are utilising the money as well as the impact it has had on their standard of living.

The official further said no Special Economic Zones would be approved if even a single farmer complaints of forceful land acquisition. “There has been some mis-information about Special Economic Zones.

The zones are not foreign territories and it is only for purpose of custom duties that they are treated so. Otherwise, every single law is applicable to these zones,” the official further clarified.

SEZs are likely to create employment for six lakh people by the end of 2010, the official said. The operational zones have generated employment for about 1.5 lakh people in two years.

Mega agri-SEZ
Meanwhile, masterplan for country’s biggest integrated agro-food processing park, to come up at Nellore in Andhra Pradesh, will be ready by September and park commissioned by 2010, project officials said.

Kisan SEZ, agro-processing park, is being developed by IFFCO at a cost of about Rs 2,500 crore in association with Hyderabad-based agri infrastructure company GreenPort Corporation.

Source: Deccan Herald