New Delhi, August 30
The ongoing controversy regarding the impact of the proposed special economic zones (SEZ) on agriculture and farmers is expected get top billing at next month’s meeting of Congress chief ministers.
As announced by Congress president Sonia Gandhi, the upcoming chief ministers’ conclave will focus primarily on the agriculture sector in view of the deepening agrarian crisis, continuing suicides by farmers and the rising prices of essential commodities like wheat and pulses.
Since the
controversial issue of SEZs is inextricably linked to the agriculture sector, Congress sources said it is bound to figure in next month’s deliberations.
The matter has already become a hot political issue in neighbouring Haryana where the Hooda government has come under attack for not paying adequate compensation to the farmers whose land is being acquired for this project. There is also widespread criticism that fertile agriculture land is being handed over for these zones.
A section of Congress leaders is of the view that since urbanisation and economic activities are inevitable and cannot be curbed, the effort should be to ensure a good deal for those whose land is being acquired for any economic and developmental projects. It is being suggested that a balance be struck by making the displaced persons stakeholders in the proposed projects and ensuring that that they get their share from the escalation in land prices.
“This problem can be got around by holding prior negotiations with the farmers regarding their compensation package. In addition to the cash for their land, they should also be given a share in the profits of the project and given smaller land holdings in the SEZs,” suggested a senior Congress office-bearer.
UPA sources said a comprehensive national rehabilitation policy currently being devised by the
Centre for those displaced by development projects contains these elements. Similarly, the Andhra Pradesh government is also working on a policy which will ensure a fair compensation for the farmer and give him a stake in the proposed project.
Besides the issue of SEZs, other aspects of the agriculture sector like availability of credit for farmers and market intervention by the state to ensure adequate availability of wheat and pulses are some of the other issues which will figure in next month’s discussions.
A strong plea will be made for writing off the NPAs of cooperative banks through which farmers are extended credit, as it has been done in the case of
commercial banks.
Concern will be expressed at the stagnating agriculture sector and how its contribution to the national GDP has steadily decreased while the number of those dependent on farming has not come down. “Given this scenario, we will have to seriously consider how farmers can be diverted to the non-farming sector,” remarked a senior Congress leader.
