Turns heat over SEZs too

Turning the heat on the UPA regime on special economic zones (SEZs) ahead of the Winter session of Parliament, CPI(M) Politburo member Sitaram Yechury today led a delegation of farmers from Maharashtra to meet Commerce Minister Kamal Nath and lodge a protest against the state government's land acquisition in the Navi Mumbai area.

The delegation is learnt to have complained about the large chunks of land being acquired and the "arbitrary" compensation policy. According to Left sources, the minister asked Commerce Secretary GK Pillai to look into their complaints.

The Left parties, especially the CPI(M), have been leading a farmers' agitation in Navi Mumbai.

Today's meeting came on a day when the Left parties decided to raise the issue of SEZs in the forthcoming session of Parliament. They are seeking amendments to the SEZ Act and Rules.