---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Madhumita Dutta <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
*Invitation *
*SOUTHERN REGIONAL STRATEGY MEETING ON SEZ*
*September 13-14th, 2008, Chennai, Tamil Nadu***
*Dear All,*
**
*Zindabad!**
*
August 13th, 2008
**
You all are, in some way or the other, part of struggles against forcible
land acquisition and displacement. You are well aware of how State and
Corporates are conniving and using various coercive and repressive means to
acquire land, displacing people and local livelihoods and exploiting other
natural resources for "industrialisation"/"economic development". Issues of
sovereignty of panchayat institutions, employment vs loss of
livelihood, land speculations, tax expemptions to corporates, environmental
pollution, water extraction, power distribution are very crucial to the
debate and protest against SEZs.
Undoubtedly the issue of industrial land grab has emerged as the most
significant economic and political issue facing the country with more
than 800 SEZ projects approved by the Government. A corporate sympathetic
state has been busy using the Land Acquisition Act of 1894 for acquiring
land for corporate profits in the name of public interest and public
purpose. In many states, like Tamil Nadu, even more draconian laws like TN
Land Acquisition Act for Industrial Purposes is being used for such
purposes. Industrial Policies are being formulated to promote creation of
large land banks for industrialisation. Anti people reforms have been
introduced in the Environmental Policy, Mining Policy, Rehabilitation
Policy, Industrial Policy, Agriculture Policy, Investment Policy and Coastal
Regulations. Land and other natural resources have been reduced to market
commodity and are being diverted to facilitate the needs of SEZ and elite
class while agriculture and livelihoods of the masses is being willfully
destroyed and ignored.
The SEZs viability in India as an economic growth option is also being
questioned and criticized by economists considering failed examples of SEZs
all over the world and the way Indian Government is irrationally promoting
SEZs .
It is well known that the SEZs have been vehemently opposed by farmers,
landless labourers, fishing communities and salt pan workers and other rural
communities all across the country and have created flash points of
conflict.
In past two years, activists, mass struggle groups, communities, ngos,
academics etc have debated, formed platforms, have held meetings in trying
to challenge/ strategise, lend support to anti-SEZ struggles, and collate
and distribute information on issues related to SEZs across the country.
There have been national level meetings held at various points of time. What
had clearly emerged from all these efforts is the need for all of us to come
together at the state and regional level to challenge these developments
effectively and unitedly. While very powerful struggles are going on in
certain pockets, there are others which need support and solidarity, where
there is intense state repression, media black out and people nationally and
even in state capitals are oblivious of these local struggles. Anti SEZ
struggle in Kakinada being one such example.
Therefore we call upon struggles/groups/individuals opposing
SEZs/state-corporate land grab in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh,
Kerala to come together to convene a 'SOUTHERN REGIONAL STRATEGY MEETING ON
SEZ', which has been in discussion for a long time. Considering elections
due next year we feel it is the time for various movements and groups to sit
together, share experiences and evolve a common strategy to fight against
forcible land acquisition, displacement and for the land sovereignty.
The issues to be discussed in the meeting would be:
Ÿ *Sharing and exchange of experiences and strategies used in various
struggles* -Discrepancy in information at time when land acquisition is
executed, legal violations in land acquisition and rehabilitation; problems
with RTI related to SEZ; Issues of employment-livelihood loss, environmental
pollution, labour rights and local governance sovereignty
Ÿ Discussion on Amendments in SEZ Act during 2006-7/ Land Acquisition
Amendment Bill and Resettlement and Rehabilitation Bill- contradictions to
SEZ Act and Policy,
Linking local struggles and support groups
* *
*Date of the Meeting: 13th-14th September**, 2008 (saturday-sunday)** *
*Venue**: Chennai, TAMIL NADU *(WE WILL LET YOU KNOW THE EXACT VENUE IN
COMING DAYS)
*Please confirm your participation at the earliest (*many of you have
confirmed over phone already*)*. Since this effort is totally voluntary, we
request people to contribute (where possible) to this meeting by paying for
their own travel to Chennai. For some activists and groups, whom we know it
will be difficult to bear travel expenses, we will try to collect
contributions from friends and groups. TN groups will organise the venue of
the meeting and local stay/food, your contribution is welcome for the same.
*We also request you to kindly fwd this mail to others groups/individuals in
your state whom you think we should invite for this meeting. Since its an
collective effort, please feel free to take the initiative of iniviting
people, only let us know whom you are inviting, their confirmation
(including yours) so that we can organise stay and food. *
*For more details local contacts-*
**
*Madhumita Dutta (09444390240) Geeta Ramakrisha
(09444050071) Gabriele Dietrich (0452 2605134)*
**
In solidarity
Madhumita
Chennai, Tamil Nadu
42 A, F.F, 5th Avenue, Besant Nagar, Chennai 600 090, Tamil Nadu
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