'Need for fresh look at land acquisition for SEZs'

Amid continuing debate over land acquisition for SEZs, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia on Saturday said the issue needs a fresh look.

Amid continuing debate over land acquisition for SEZs, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia on Saturday said the issue needs a fresh look.

If "a particular section feels land acquisition under the Land Acquisition Act was not appropriate, there was a need to have a fresh look at it," he said on the sidelines of a conference in Pune.

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Montek said: "If land was acquired to set up a project for larger public good, it was okay. But if it was acquired by state governments to benefit industrialists, that could give rise to resentment." If land belonging to state governments and industrialists is used for SEZs, there will be no opposition, Montek noted.