Make farmers stakeholders, CM tells pvt investors

Chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh on Friday urged private investors to make farmers stakeholders in their projects to avoid the ongoing class conflict in some parts of Maharashtra. He also maintained that when private investors acquire land from farmers, they should ensure that the latter are rewarded with life-long specific income and given employment in their projects. Locals cannot be ignored in the development of the state, he stressed.

The CM was candid in stating that there was no land available for any new project in Mumbai, Pune and Thane. The new investors should explore the opportunities to acquire land in Vidarbha and Marathwada where they would be more welcome, he pointed out.

Deshmukh’s statement is significant in wake of the protest from certain quarters over acquisition of agriculture land for special economic zones. The Peasant and Workers Party, supported by non-government organisations, have taken to streets protesting against selling of farmers’ land in Raigad district. Interestingly, Maharashtra has given permission to 105 SEZs, highest in the country.

He urged the investors to shed their reservations in acquiring land in Vidarbha and Marathwada which have excellent road and air connectivity. The land prices in these areas will be economical compared to a saturated Mumbai and Pune markets.