June 29, 2007
Learning from the widespread agitation by farmers across the country, from Sangrur to Pune, the Union Ministry of Commerce has directed Maharashtra government to put brakes on all acquisitions of farmland for SEZs, till they get the farmer's nod.
This directive is not to be limited within the state of Maharashtra only, but is aimed to stall land acquisition drives across the country. Farmer's willingness to allow or not to allow their land to be acquired for SEZs will now decide the game. It would be difficult for the state governments now to override Center's directive and go ahead with land acquisition even under Section 6(i) of Land Acquisition Act, 1894.
Section 6(i) of Land Acquisition Act allowed states to cut objections from owners of land but with the threatening of wide spread protests looming large, states have no option but to follow the Center on this.