Centre nod for SEZ land acquisition

But, it comes with a rider.

The Reliance Industries-promoted Mumbai Special Economic Zone (MSEZ) has got a major relief with Union Commerce Secretary G K Pillai clarifying that the state government can go ahead with the land acquisition provided the farmers had no objections to their land being acquired.

Since April 5 empowered group of ministers led by Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee came out with a decision, prohibiting the state government from acquiring the land for SEZ, there had been confusion in the state government quarters over the acquisition of land for SEZs in the state, including MSEZ.

The Maharashtra government has notified around 10,000 hectares for acquisition in 45 villages of Raigad district for MSEZ.

While Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh promised that no land will be acquired for SEZs forcibly, his colleague in the cabinet whose ministry is acquiring the land, Narayan Rane, supported the land acquisition and went on to say, "The land acquisition process will continue unless we get clear directives from the Centre."

In a letter written by Pillai on June 1 to the Maharashtra industry secretary V K Jairath, he has said, since state government had started land acquisition process before the EGOM's decision, state government can go ahead with the process but it should not declare final award.

The letter also says, if the farmer has withdrawn objection to the land acquisition process or willingly given the consent, the state government can go ahead with the acquisition of the land.

The Rural Development ministry is working on amending the Land Acquisition Act and also new relief and rehabilitation policy is being drafted by the Centre.

If they are notified before the land acquisition process is completed they will become applicable to the whole land acquisition process for SEZ.