CPI forms panel to study SEZ issue Pioneer News Service | Thiruvananthapuram http://www.dailypioneer.com/indexn12.asp?main_variable=KOCHI&file_name=KOCHI5%2Etxt&counter_img=5
Even as the official leadership of the CPI(M) is in a hurry to clear at least nine proposals for Special Economic Zones (SEZs), LDF's second largest constituent, CPI, has constituted a committee to examine the various aspects related to SEZs. The committee, headed by CPI leader and AITUC State general secretary Kanam Rajendran, would study the issue in detail and submit its report to the party on September 5. The three-member committee, which also had the Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam district committee secretaries P Ramachandran and Prakash Babu respectively as members, would assess the Central legislation on SEZs, the apprehension that such zones were detrimental to workers' interests, its consequences on the society, etc. The CPI had formed its own committee to study the issue when the dispute among the LDF constituents about SEZs was remaining unresolved. Another minor LDF partner, RSP, also had come out against the plan for hasty clearance to SEZ proposals. The committee had held its first meeting in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday. The CPI's action had come just when the LDF was planning to discuss the issue. The CPI held a different view about SEZs from that of the CPI(M) which was in favour of clearing SEZ proposals which had no glaring anti-State implications. But CPI was almost totally against the concept called SEZ. Party State secretary Veliyam Bhargavan had last week opined that the Central legislation on SEZs itself was against the interests of the workers and the State and also 'uncivilised'. CPI sources said that the party did not think that SEZ was the only way for industrial advancement for the State. "Some of our comrades in other communist parties (CPI(M)) believe that deluge is the destiny if SEZs are not there. We don't thin so. Moves to establish SEZs and functioning styles of certain SEZs - as in Haryana - have given ample indications that these totally independent units are somehow not working in the interests of the people at large. Still, we are not saying no it. Let us consider all the aspects first," said a senior CPI leader. The CPI leader said that Governments should not become subservient to investors. "We need investors. We will have investments. Even without SEZ clearance, there are so many units which want to open shop in Kerala. The demands for SEZs are not all that sincere as they seem to be. The very fact that there is urgency from some quarters is proof of some possible foul play," he said. The leader pointed out that not even the CPI(M) was unanimous over the SEZ issue. He pointed out that even Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan was not in favour of clearing all such proposals. "Even several CPI(M) leaders are convinced that several of the proposals presently before the Government are actually for real estate ventures. We can't allow SEZs for land mafia. The issue needs an in-depth study," the CPI leader said. The official leadership of the CPI(M), in other words the neo-liberalist faction in the party led by central committee member and State Finance Minister TM Thomas Isaac and State secretary Pinarayi Vijayan, are in favour of clearing SEZ proposals if there are no problems prima facie. They, along with Industries Minister Elamaram Kareem, are of the opinion that Kerala cannot ignore the need of the times. Also, the heads of various Government departments are divided on the issue. While Industries Secretary T Balakrishnan, better known for his anti-Land Reforms Act theory, is a spokesman for the SEZ-fans while IT secretary Ajaya Kumar is a bit worried about the sudden talks about a new industrial culture. The IT Department has put forward a demand that IT companies coming under the SEZ should pay sweat equity to the State Government in proportion to the benefits they would enjoy with the SEZ status. The dispute over SEZs is also rampant among the youth wings of the Left parties. CPI's youth wing AIYF has already spoken against the SEZ culture while pro-CPI(M) DYFI has favoured it. AIYF State Secretary PS Supal says the Central Government had passed the legislation on SEZs with the single objective of helping industrial monopolies to grow in the country. According to him, the conditions in the SEZ legislation were all against the interests of the workers. State DYFI secretary TV Rajesh argues that without SEZs, industrial investment in the State would suffer a downslide and this would lead to loss of employment opportunities. He says industrial investments in the modern times are chiefly being made in SEZ sector. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Green Youth Movement" group. To post to this group, send email to greenyouth@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth?hl=en-GB -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
