Date:27/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/27/stories/2008092759270400.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Chiranjeevi’s “double standards” questioned

‘Package offered to Polepalli land losers best in country’

Geetha Reddy asks Chiru to look at happenings in West Bengal
Claims 99 p.c. of Polepalli land losers are happy with relief package

— PHOTO: NAGARA GOPAL

On the offensive: Major Industries Minister J. Geetha Reddy at the APIIC’s 36th Foundation Day celebrations in the city on Friday. Also seen in the picture are APIIC Chairman B.P. Acharya (middle) and State Government Advisor Peter T. Hassan.

HYDERABAD: Major Industries Minister J. Geetha Reddy advised Praja Rajyam leader Chiranjeevi not to adopt “double standards and politicise” the upcoming SEZ at Polepalli in the backward Mahabubnagar district but take a look at what was happening in West Bengal.

Speaking at the 36th Foundation Day celebrations of the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC), she said, “Have we faced anything like West Bengal? Have we had a Singur or Nandigram?” she asked and said that having 56 notified SEZs in the State was a “great achievement”. Asking the film star-turned-politician not to criticise for the sake of criticism, she said “you are so friendly with the Left… why do you have double standards?” Asking him to have a look at what was happening in West Bengal from where Tatas were moving away, she said Gujarat, A.P., Tamil Nadu and Karnataka were vying with each other to woo Tatas to set up their Nano car project in the respective States.

She said the Relief and Rehabilitation Package offered to the land losers in Polepalli was the best in the country. Not only compensation ranging from Rs.75,000 to Rs.1.25 lakh per acre was paid, but each of them was also provided 200 sq. yards of land and the government now planned to build houses for them. However, they wanted money instead and the same was deposited in their bank accounts.

Job cards

Ms. Geetha Reddy said that 99 per cent of the people were happy with the package as all the land losers were given job cards assuring them of employment. Already two pharma firms were engaging them for labour work. She said the Jadcherla SEZ would have a turnover of Rs. 500 crore and create 30,000 jobs when completed.