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SEZ
is a word which is much a fashion these days in
economic, political and even social circles.
Every business house wants to develop one for
them, every state as many of them , and every
person dreams of one near him. If this is the
case, why our own state government is not trying
to have even a single SEZ for them?
If we go by examples of other states, it looks
like there is no way to survive in this world of
competition without having SEZs. But, is this
the case - as we all know our economy has come a
long way and we are being recognized as a world
economic power without having a single SEZ. Even
the way industry is acquiring hundreds of acres
of fertile land from the farmers in the name of
economic development is very surprising. When 70
percent of our population still depends on land
taking away fertile farm-lands this way for SEZ
will do no favour but harm to our economy and
environment the most. Then does it means, our
state government is working in favour of farmers
and in the larger interest of the state?
Probably not, SEZ is a good idea as far as it
just means providing a common space and
administration for industry to flourish in a
manner never happened before. But it could be
done without taking away in some ethical manner
as well, which will be acceptable to everyone.
For this, we can go for the bigger version of
these SEZs - product SEZ, where a whole region
or state will work as SEZ, proving a full setup
for growth of one Industry. In these SEZ
everybody will be get their share of fruit of
development not just few people. Our state need
this type product SEZ at most, we can go for
agricultural, industrial and service products
like - sugar, dairy, textile, tourism,
education, medicine. These product SEZ will
concentrate on the whole range of activity
related to one product, in this way involving
people from every walk of life. This concept
goes well with PPP - public, private
participation - as well. So, the option is very
clear for our state government, go for their own
way to set up product SEZs, and not the SEZs the
whole country is talking about. As we need
prosperity of everyone not for a bunch of
people.
Hope the government will work on this concept
and make our state the front-runner the way it
once was.
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Comments: |
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SEZ is an extreme concept. It can
only be successfully implemented
where extreme right or left are
ruling such as Gujarat or West
Bengal or in states with extreme
identity crisis where language can
generate more passion than caste. In
Bihar it will be difficult to
implement. On the contrary Bihar
Government should try to declare
whole of Bihar as SEZ, yes whole of
Bihar should be declared as SEZ and
let industry pay the market rate for
Land but government should offer
better tax rebates than existing
extreme model of SEZ. I am very
happy that Bihar Government is
against the present model of SEZ.
Product SEZ is also a very bad idea;
in fact SEZ in itself is a bad idea.
SEZ discourages budding
entrepreneurship because it only
helps well established business.
Moreover if SEZ is in Darbhanga then
who will take care of Jamui and if
Darbhanga becomes part of
Mithilanchal (New state) then what
is left for Bihar? Haven’t we
learned from Jharkhand separation
that one fine evening Bihar became
without even a single factory worth
naming. Say no to SEZ or let whole
of Bihar be declared as SEZ! Looking
at the present situation of complete
absence of industrialisation in
Bihar, Bihar Government should
continue the demand special status
for Bihar from Federal Government at
Delhi so that there is enough tax
rebates for investors to invest in
Bihar. Jharkhand division of was a
very bad idea and compensation to
Bihar is still due. - Shiv
Shankar Sharma - Feb. 3, 2007 |
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