Warning that a Nandigram-like situation is waiting to happen in Haryana, where Reliance has acquired land to set up a Special Economic Zone, Indian National Lok Dal on Saturday asked the central government to scrap such land acquisition policy in the interest of the farmers.
"Nandigram will repeat in Haryana if rights of the affected farmers are not protected," INLD President O P Chautala said, reiterating his opposition to the SEZ to be set up in Haryana by Reliance.
Seeking the abolition of the SEZ policy, he suggested framing of Manufacturing Investment Region policy to boost investment and production.
"We are not against SEZ if it ensures development and jobs. But that is not happening. Instead farmers are being exploited while private firms are handed over undue benefits," he said.
Alleging a Rs 1 lakh crore scam in the RIL-SEZ project in Haryana, he said, "Fertile land has been brought by the state-run Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation from farmers at throwaway prices and has been sold to the firm for developing a SEZ."
He said the land has been transferred to Reliance for Rs 290 crore against market price of Rs 1 lakh crore.
"While farmers have been offered paltry compensation, the benefits have been accrued to Reliance which has no intention to set up any industry in the region. Instead, it has acquired land for real estate purpose," alleged the former Haryana chief minister.
"We will oppose the government's move tooth and nail. In our next party meeting we will decide a strategy to ensure that the Hooda government is not successful in its attempt to benefit Reliance," he said.
