CPI opposes Posco SEZ in Orissa

 The left party said it will oppose the decision, and intensify struggle against the "aggressive moves" of Posco.     

 "Every inch of land in Jagatsinghpur is cultivated. Thousands of farmers will be displaced and their livelihood destroyed," CPI said in a statement issued here today.

 Pointing fingers at the Naveen Patnaik government, the statement said:  "Even before the sanction, the government of Orissa has handed over more than 1,100 acres of agricultural land to Posco at the rate of Rs 25,000 per acre. What compensation will be paid to the displaced with the land being so cheaply transferred to the South Korean giant."

 CPI said despite all the objections raised against the way SEZs were being created and specific references made by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi against using agricultural land, the commerce ministry is going ahead with sactioning scores of special economic zones. The board of approvals yesterday cleared 31 proposals, including the Posco proposal, for