Plea filed on Vizag SEZ

By Shariff Ameeruddin Ishaqui
Hyderabad, May 1: Villagers of Gorapudi and Lalam villages of Rambilli mandal in Visakhapatnam district filed writ petition in the AP High Court on Thursday the challenging the acquisition of 8056 for expansion of Special Economic Zone.
The petitioners told the court that the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation has submitted a requisition to the government for acquisition of 8056.73 acres in different villages of Achutahapuram and Rambilli mandal,under the guise of expansion of SEZ ,even though the land does not form part of the notified area approved by the Central SEZs Board.
They submitted that lands covered under the acquisition was in which they were cultivating different crops including paddy. The Centre has taken a decision not acquire the crop-raised lands for establishment of special economic zones.
The petitioners informed the court that earlier the APIIC had acquired 9200 acres out that 4867 acres allotted to various companies including Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and the rest of the land was with the APIIC and it was not allotted to any company till date. They contended that the Centre had to accord a letter of approval for the expansion of the SEZ. The petitioners urged the court that it direct the district collector not to dispossess them from their lands and grant stay on all further proceedings of land acquisition.