JOIN USSEZ stands for special exploitation zone: Medha
Addressing the People’s Audit of Mangalore SEZ on Sunday at Bajpe Church Hall, she said that unfortunately, with the SEZs, industries have ceased to be just industries, but they have grown into corporate giants influencing the policy making.
Stating that SEZ was leading worst of disparity between land and humanity, she said the Government has to realise that rehabilitation does not mean mere shifting of houses but it is much more than that. “The rehabilitation policy is, in true sense, destitutionalising, marginalising and cultural uprooting of the displaced families,” she said. She called upon the public to stand united and oppose the MSEZL in Phase II even if it gets through Phase I due to grafting and corrupt politics.
On political will power to safeguard agriculture, which she termed ‘true desi culture,’ Patkar said, the SEZ notification was first brought in by the NDA government which was followed by Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh and the CPM in West Bengal. Finally, the UPA brought in the SEZ Act in 2005. Activist Aruna Roy said that the right to property of a poor person is equal to that of the President of India but what has happened in the proposed SEZ areas is sheer violation of human rights. Audit of Government and its policy by the people is the real democracy, Aruna Roy said.