Chandigarh, September 28
In a partial climbdown following criticism from all quarters, particularly by farmers in the state, the Punjab Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, today declared that “not even a single kanal” of farmland would be acquired by his government for the special economic zones (SEZ) being set up by various private players.

“We are neither acquiring nor do we plan to acquire any land from farmers for this purpose. We will also ensure that private promoters, who are setting up SEZs and mega projects, don’t cheat the farmer by buying land below its market price,” he asserted.

Interacting with mediapersons on the sidelights of a Chief Ministers’ conclave here, Capt Amarinder Singh also claimed that his government would review all acquisitions made in the recent past and ensure that a fair “market price” is given to farmers in lieu of their land.

Farmers in many parts of the state have taken to the streets against the move of the government to acquire their land on behalf of companies such as DLF, which is setting up an SEZ in Amritsar and other areas, and the Nahar Group.

The Tribune had recently done a series of exclusive reports on how the government, which is being perceived as a land-grabber by farmers, has been acquiring farmers’ land for a song and then either selling it for a huge profit or giving it to some industrial houses.

The reports had also highlighted how the farmers and their families had been rendered homeless and without work by the government, which was only interested in divesting them of their land.

Farmers have been alleging that the government has been forcibly acquiring their land at throwaway prices without bothering to take the present market value of the land into consideration and that, too, for handing it over to private companies.

Today, the Chief Minister sought to lay the blame for the entire SEZ controversy at the door of the Central Government, asserting that the state government had no role in the setting up of the SEZs as the entire plan was the brainchild of the Union Government.

“Where do we come into the picture? It the Commerce Ministry which is doing everything,” he pointed out.

Asked if his government would implement the recent appeal of the Union Commerce Minister, Mr Kamal Nath, to all Chief Ministers to ensure that the land acquired for the purpose of SEZs in their respective states is primarily waste or barren land, Capt Amarinder Singh asserted that it was just an appeal and not binding on his government.

“However, we will certainly try to ensure that fertile farmland is not taken for SEZs, etc,” he added.