Ryots against land acquisition for SEZ

MADURAI: Various farmers’ forums have come together against the State Government’s attempt to acquire around 1,500 acres of “farming” land to set up a special economic zone (SEZ) at Sivarakottai in the district.

Addressing reporters here on Saturday, D. Gurusamy, State president of Bharat Krishak Samaj, said that the move was against the SEZ Act, 2005. The samaj, along with Federation of Tamil Nadu Farmers’ Association, Erode, and Madurai District Farmers’ Association would intensify campaign against land acquisition in the villages of Sivarakottai, Karisalkalanpatti and Swamimallampatti.

Alleging that the district administration had suppressed the facts on “cultivation” of the identified land in its affidavit before the High Court, Mr. Gurusamy wanted the court to take suo motto action against the officials. He also charged that the documents with details of cultivation in those villages were destroyed. Farmers’ associations would stage a demonstration in front of the Collectorate here on November 23 pressing the Government to give up its move to acquire the land.

Secretary of the federation, C. Nallasamy, criticised the Government for injustice rendered to cane farmers by procuring sugarcane at a lower price. “For every tonne of sugarcane, the sugar mills paid Rs. 1,200, when the price of sugar was Rs. 15. But now, should the farmers be not paid Rs. 3,600 for a tonne of cane when the price of sugar has gone up to Rs. 36,” he said.

Complaining that those in power and the sugar mills were making huge profits at the cost of suffering farmers, he wondered why the Centre and State were not willing to implement the recommendations of Commission of Agricultural Costs and Prices. Besides producing sugar, the mills were using the cane for extracting molasses and for co-generation.

The Hindu, 8 Nov 2009
http://www.hindu.com/2009/11/08/stories/2009110857640300.htm