Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (KM/RD)
Mangalore, Dec 21 (mb): The setting up of the proposed MSEZ should be unanimously opposed, as it threatened to cause adverse effect on the human resources, besided the flora and fauna in the region. Moreover, eco-sensitive Mangalore does not require the project, said Kateel Dinesh Pai, convener, DK District Parisarasakta Okkoota (a federation of environmentally alert organizations).
He was speaking on the adverse effect of Special Economic Zone (SEZ), hosted by SEZ Impact Committee, held in the ‘Akshaya Hall’ near the PVS circle in the city on Thursday, December 20.
Refuting the argument that SEZ would generate adequate number of direct and indirect employment, he said “49 percent of the total products should be sold within the nation. It will necessarily spell the doom for the small scale industry, leaving the persons involved in the factories unemployed”.
It is also billed by the officials of MSEZ that it has very good track record and security measures are taken into serious consideration. All the technologies are man-made; they are not permanently error free; even a single error can destroy the whole cluster of the city and its environs, a prospect similar to the Bhopal tragedy, he said, while expressing caution.
Whatever had been claimed by the officials iss far from reality; for them the environment is the least priority; Prospects of acid rain are strongly evident. The implementation of the proposed MSEZ would definitely constrain the poor farmers to commit suicide in a greater degree with the ill-conceived policies, he added.
It has been said that the setting up of Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemical Investment Regions (PCPIR) Policy would generate large-scale employment at the cost of 15 lac people who will be displaced in the process.
The hands of poor people have been tied. Kulur is an example in this regard, said Upendra Hosabettu, president of the Federation.
Sylvester D'Souza, secretary of the Federation, was also present on the occasion.