From: Initiative India <initiativeindia@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, Jul 16, 2010 at 4:34 PM
Subject: [initiative-india] Karla SEZ Scrapped: Peoples' Movements emerge victorious again
To:
Dadar (E), Mumbai-400 014 Ph. No-2415 0529
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shri Ekvira Jameen Bachao Andolan
(Movement against Land Acquisition for Proposed SEZ at Karla)
At and Post Karla, Taluka: Maval, Dt. Pune, Maharashtra
For Immediate Release Date: 16th July, 2010
Karla SEZ Scrapped: Peoples' Movements emerge victorious again
In another major victory to the sustained struggle by determined agriculturalists in the Maval Taluka of Pune district, the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) proposed by Mahindra and Mahindra Company near Karla has finally been scrapped. As usual, the location proposed for the SEZ near Lonavala city covered 1,188 hectares of agro-rich land, spread across 8 villages, amidst the temple of Goddess Ekvira and also housed the historical Karla caves.
The original plan by the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) and M/s Mahindra and Mahindra Gesco Developers, as stated through a jointly announcement was to acquire about 3,000 acres of land from village Karla and seven more villages in the vicinity in order to the establish a multi product Special Economic Zone. Both these firms signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to this effect on 22nd February, 2006. Another MoU between Government of Maharashtra and the company was signed on March 24, 2006. The Central Government gave an in-principle approval to the SEZ on 3rd April, 2006. Except for a paltry 19 hectares of government owned, the remaining land to be acquired, admeasuring 1,169 hectares was privately owned agricultural in the eight villages, namely Takave Khurd, Shilatane, Dahivali, Vehergaon, Devaghar, Karla, Mundhavare and Karandoli. Acquisition proposal was sanctioned and notification under section 6 was issued on March 21, 2006.
This mandatory acquisition of fertile lands was questioned and opposed by the local land holders right from the beginning, since it would divest them from their only source of livelihood. All the eight villages unanimously passed Gram Sabha resolutions recording their strong opposition the proposed acquisition. Villagers also expressed their dissent to the forcible acquisition through hunger strikes, road blockings, rallies, public meetings, dialogue at various levels of the Government (from Tahsildars to the Ministers). Veteran leaders and activists like N. D. Patil, Bhai Vaidya, Medha Patkar, Ulka Mahajan, Manav Kambale, Maruti Bhapkar supported the agitation whole heartedly.
Considering the intense opposition to the proposed SEZ by the local communities, the Government appointed a review committee of officials, which conclude and recommended that:
1. As the land proposed to be acquired is close to the highway, the market rates have increased now
2. Much of the land has been converted into irrigated land by the farmers themselves and their crop-yields are fetching them good market prices and hence they are not willing to sale their land.
3. Some of the land is converted into non-agriculture land and farmers have constructed residential buildings, houses and have started agriculture farms and nursery business.
4. All these villages are very close to famous tourist spots like Khandala and Lonavala, on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, National Highway No. 4 and Mumbai- Pune railway line, due to which the value of the land has enhanced remarkably overtime and the land holders, therefore, are not willing to vacate the land.
5. Due to the historical and religious importance of the temple of Godess Ekvira and Karla caves, this area has become a tourist place and small vendors, hotels, dharm shalas, and other small self-employed businesses have flourished very well here. They are also not willing to move out.
Considering all these issues and the strong opposition of villagers, and people's movements against the SEZ, the Committee recommended that irrigated land and residential land of the local farmers may be excluded from the proposed SEZ. In light of this report and the strong opposition of locals, on November 25, 2009 government enquired with the proposed developers as to whether they were still interested in pursuing the project. Later in a meeting on March 23, 2010, MIDC officials made it clear to the government that due to the opposition of the communities and other difficulties, it would not be possible to go ahead with the SEZ project. Later in July 2010, Arun Nanda, the Chairman and Executive Director of Mahindra and Mahindra decided to withdraw the SEZ.
Thus, similar to Man, Vagholi, and Greater Mumbai, people of Karla have also registered a victory of scrapping of SEZ project in their area. This was possible only due to an aggressive opposition of local people and staunch support from all over country. The atmosphere thus created against unjust SEZ has forced government to withdraw the SEZ. The Karla SEZ is a re-affirmation of the victory of peaceful and non-violent people's movements against the inequitable and non-participatory development polices.
Movements cautious as danger may pursue in different avatar:
The danger of forcible land acquisition and unjust displacement is not yet over completely. Under the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMICDC) Project, it is proposed to set up one Multi-Model Logistic Park in the state. Now DMICDC has opined that Karla sector is the most suitable for this project. A minimum 400 hectares land will be required and the same is proposed to be acquired from the 1,188 hectares land of Karla. It is advised to look for that part of where there is no opposition for acquisition. Though the district Collector of Pune has shown readiness to acquire 350–400 hectares of the said land for this project, the activists of Shri Ekvira Jameen Bachao Andolan have resisted this proposal strongly, asserting that they will not let go even an inch of land without their consent and agreement. They have also reiterated their stand that if the Government persists and will tries to use force for the acquisition, they will intensify their agitation and the government will have to face the consequences.
| Prasad Bagawe | Ganapat Padwal | Pratap Dimble | Bhau Hulavale | Tanaji Bhanusghare |
| Balasaheb Waghmare | Mohan Aher | Sunil Garud | Ankush Mavkar |
Contact: Suniti S.R (09423571784) and Prasad Bagwe (9049533394)
Ph: 022-24150529
E-mail: napmindia@gmail.com
Delhi Contact : 09818905316
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Initiative India" group.
To post to this group, send email to initiative-india@googlegroups.com.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to initiative-india+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/initiative-india?hl=en.
--
Palash Biswas
Pl Read:
http://nandigramunited-banga.blogspot.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment