Andhra hints of converting 1.5 lakh acres into SEZs

The Andhra Pradesh government today indicated that the total extent of land to be converted into special economic zones in the state would be at least 1.5 lakh acres while maintaining that no wet land would be acquired unless absolutely warranted for the purpose.

Listing out the state government's priorities in his customary address to the Budget session of the state legislative assembly on Monday, Governor Rameshwar Thakur said the state needs to create infrastructure facilities for promotion of manufacturing and services sectors to help a large section of workforce now employed in agriculture migrate to other sectors.

"Even after realising the complete potential of the ongoing Jalayagnam programme, about 40 per cent our agriculture will continue to be rain dependent," he said while stressing the need to promote industrial development in these areas to provide alternative employment to the people.

Allaying the concerns over food security, being cited as an important reason by several political parties for their reservations on acquisition of farm lands for SEZs, the governor said unlike many states, Andhra Pradesh has a vast geographical area of 2.75 lakh square km (618 lakh acres) and the proposed land that comes under the SEZ development will be a mere 0.24 per cent of the total arable land in the state.

But, he stated that the state government would ensure that no wet land is acquired for SEZs unless it is absolutely warranted. The state government would present its annual Budget on February 19 in the session, which lasts up to the end of March.