Various anti-SEZ activists have started making statements as if these projects are against the interests of the nation (SEZzzzz, June 24). In fact, SEZs have shown a hefty increase in their exports in 2008-09. As for the allegation about grabbing fertile land for SEZ projects is concerned, this is not true, and almost 95 per cent of the projects do not have an area exceeding three square kilometers anyway. Around 300,000 persons have been employed in various SEZ projects already. It is grossly unfair to close our eyes to this reality. And let us not forget that China has become a superpower primarily because of its large SEZ projects. India can remove the defects in the Chinese SEZ policy, and see which is the model that is best suited to our country. But to just junk the entire scheme is a bad idea.
Neeta Iyer, Mumbai
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