Denotify 2,000 acre MSEZ land: Seer's plea to govt

Addressing a press conference here, the seer said he has written a letter to the Chief Minister making his point clear.

“I was supposed to begin my fast today as per my previous announcement, but I have postponed the date for one month, owing to the assurances given by MP Nalin Kumar Kateel and Home Minister Dr V S Acharya,” Swamiji said.

"A total of 1,800 acre land has already been acquired for the MSEZ, while about 2,000 acre area has been notified. I had opposed the move on behalf of the villagers when the government acquired 1,800 acre land, and the MLAs and the In-charge Minister had promised that no further acquisition would be made. Despite this, about 15 acres of land has already been acquired forcibly,” he regretted.

The seer said he has no objection in industries purchasing land from people directly but he strongly objected the government’s move to acquire land and hand it over to the industries.
“Each individual has the right to sell his land, but nobody can acquire land from him against his will,” he added.

He said former Union minister Oscar Fernandes appealed him to reconsider his decision of hunger strike since many farmers are willingly selling their land for the SEZ purpose. “Home Minister Dr Acharya told me that the notification of 2,000 acre land for acquisition does not come under second phase of the MSEZ but belongs to the first phase itself,” the seer said.
However, Swamiji said he will not change his decision owing to anybody’s pressure. “I’m independent. I’ve just given time to the MP to fulfil his assurance,” he clarified.