Farmers take part in referendum on Reliance Group SEZ

In the first exercise of its kind in the country, landowners and farmers in 22 villages in Raigad district, about 80km from here, on Sunday expressed their opinions in a referendum on whether they supported or opposed the Reliance Group's proposed Special Economic Zone.

Thousands of farmers and landowners of villages located in Pen tehsil submitted their opinions to the state government in a form containing "yes or no" answer.

Preliminary reports said about 5,869 out of an approximately 30,000 landowners expressed their opinions.

Farmers, who had already given permission for land acquisition for the SEZ and those had possession of their property, could submit their opinions which will be compiled into a report and submitted to the state government, a senior official said.

The district authorities will take up the result of the referendum tomorrow and give a report to the government.

"Approximately 2,307 hectares of land which is under the Hetwane dam irrigation scheme is located in the 22 villages. The land is also eligible for acquisition for the SEZ," Sameer Kurtkoti, Deputy Collector (Land Acquisition Department), said.

Farmers of the 22 villages had opposed the project stating their properties came under arable land due to the irrigation project and was ineligible for the SEZ.

Amidst tight security, landowners began submitting their opinions at primary schools in their villages and the process continued from 0900 hours to 1700 hours. Video cameras were used to document the proceedings.

Over 170 government officials and hundreds of police personnel, including State Reserve Policemen, were deployed to ensure security in the region.