Put cap on number of SEZs, Cong tells Centre

The Congress party has demanded that the Union Government put a cap on the number of SEZs to be allotted in the country. In a meeting of the Empowered Group of Ministers on the SEZ, party general secretaries Digivjay Singh and Ashok Gehlot said the government should stop at the present number of SEZs.

The party also demanded that the Land Acquisition Act be amended and land prices settled on the basis of tripartite negotiations between the land owner, promoters and the government. The present system where the government unilaterally declares land price was affecting farmers, the party told the government.

Modifying its earlier position that at least one person from the affected family must be provided a job in the new enterprise, the party now says the promoter should underwrite training also for the job-seeker. AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh said the ministers listened to the views, but gave no assurances.