The CM also announced that no piece of farm land be it fertile or not would be acquired by the government if farmers opposed the acquisition process. The state has already appointed a cabinet sub-committee of three senior ministers, headed by Rehabilitation Minister Patangrao Kadam, which would decide on the resettlement and rehabilitation of the project-affected farmers.
However, Deshmukh made it clear that the state government was waiting for the Centre to come up with a fresh SEZ policy.
The moment we get policy guidance from the Centre, the state will revise its policy and issue instructions to all the authorities concerned.
The acquisition of farmland in Pen, Panvel and Uran tehsils of Raigad district had become a contentious issue ever since the Peasants and Workers Party (PWP) leaders took up cudgels on behalf of the farmers. The resistance gained momentum following violence at Nandigram in West Bengal.
On April 11, the Raigadh Collector wrote a letter to the Principal Secretary (Forest and Revenue), urging the government to clarify its stand on the land acquisition process in the district. The CM assured that he would be communicated the governments stand at the earliest.
Again, when it was pointed out to Deshmukh that Revenue Minister Narayan Rane was not aware of his announcement in the Legislative Council on March 23 that government would not acquire land for SEZs, he said, After we receive clear guidelines from the Centre, we will be holding a cabinet meeting and clarify our stand. It was pointed out to him that despite his announcement that the government would not acquire land for the SEZ, land acquisition process was on in full swing in Raigad district.
Deshmukh said, It is true that the government has already started the process of acquisition and the notices of section 4 have already been issued. It will go on to some point, but the final stage of fixing compensation and announcing awards in favour of the acquiring party will not be taken up at any cost.
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