New Delhi: The Left may be seeing red as the public outrage over Special Economic Zones escalates, but Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath's stand on the issue remains stern.
While defending the SEZ policy of the Centre he said land acquisition, which led to violence in Nandigram, should be equitable and transparent.
The violence, the minister said, was not because of the SEZ policy but because of land acquisition for industrial projects.
"The land acquisition for all industrial purposes should be equitable, transparent and inclusive of farmers," PTI quoted him as saying. He said the incident in Nandigram was unfortunate, however, SEZ policy should not be held responsible for it.
Nath's statement comes a day after 11 people died in clashes between anti-SEZ protestors and police in Nandigram.
When questioned if the violence could slow down the fresh approvals on SEZs, Nath said in many pending cases there was no dispute and promoters have already tied-up land.
The empowered Group of Ministers on SEZs headed by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukkerjee could not meet since January and there is a freeze on fresh approvals and notifications.
Nath said when eGoM meets next it would look "distinctively" at the cases where land was not an issue and where acquisition was a problem.
However, there is uncertanity over the next meeting of the GoM. In most of the pending 172 cases awaiting notification, the land has been tied up without any protests.
(With PTI inpits)
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