Farmer protest forces Gujarat to prune Mandal investment zone

Remaining eight villages to be notified considering Maruti plant's needs, say sources

In the wake of farmers’ protests, the Narendra Modi government of Gujarat on Wednesday played a balancing act, by pruning the size of the proposed Mandal-Becharaji special investment region (SIR) to almost one-fifth of the original plan. The government has decided to de-notify 36 out of the 44 villages that fell under the earlier plan.

Following the reduction in the number of villages, the size of the SIR will now be around 10,172 hectares (ha) covering eight villages from the original plan of 50,000 ha. Sources indicated that the minimum requirement for developing an SIR is an area spanning 100 sq km and by reducing the size of the proposed SIR (now 101 sq km) the government has ensured that the bare minimum criterion is met.

Government spokesperson Nitin Patel confirmed the development. Patel is also a member of the special committee of ministers formed by the government in July to find an amicable solution to the SIR issue. The committee was in touch with farmer representatives from the area and was expected to come out with a decision on the matter by August 15.

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• Mandal-Becharaji Special Investment Region (SIR) will now be spread over 10,172 hectares or 101 sq km covering eight villages, from the 50,000 hectares comprising 44 villages earlier
• The minimum area requirement for developing an SIR is 100 sq km
• Villages now part of the SIR include Hansalpur, the site for Maruti Suzuki’s proposed plant, say sources

According to the people in the know, the eight villages that are now part of the SIR plan comprise Hansalpur (863 ha) — the site for Maruti Suzuki’s proposed plant — Sitapur (3,672 ha), Ughroj (1,424 ha), Ughrojpura (637 ha), Ukardi (856 ha), Shihor (953 ha), Bhagapara (1,243 ha) and Chandanki (524 ha).

Commenting on the decision, Nitin Patel said the government has an open mind and is sensitive to peoples’ needs. “The government has decided to excluded 36 villages out of the 44 earlier notified,” he said. State Energy Minister Saurabh Patel said now, the SIR will be re-notified with names of the eight villages. “By giving approval to this decision, the chief minister has kept his promise to farmers.” Through this move, the state government has basically tried to ensure that there is no hurdle in the way of the new Maruti plant, sources said.

“Most of these villages fall in a straight line, and as land would be required for Maruti’s ancillary industries, as well as general development, including the eight villages in the SIR plan, ensures smooth passage for Maruti,” said a person aware of the development.  

Sagar Rabari, an activist from the Jamin Adikar Andolan Gujarat, which was spearheading the farmers’ movement, alleged this was a way by the government to contain the movement. “Thirty-six villages will now be out of the SIR plan. This would take away the steam from the movement. Also, they have included villages in the vicinity of the proposed Maruti plant, thereby ensuring that the project is not affected.” Ajmal Thakor, the sarpanch of Hansalpur village, said: “We do not wish to be a part of the SIR and would try to communicate our point of view to the government.” Farmers from the 44 villages were protesting against the SIR, saying it would affect their livelihood, and had taken out rallies to the state capital, Gandhinagar, earlier in June. Farmers’ representatives had also met the chief minister on July 11, when Modi was said to have allayed their concerns, assuring them that land would not be taken away without owners' consent.