Defending the SEZ policy, he said: “But this does not mean that everything that is being done is sacrosanct. (External Affairs Minister) Pranab Mukherjee is heading a GoM to review the approach to SEZ to find out if there are any pitfalls in the present policy framework. It will be our intention to redress whatever genuine grievances there may be. If we have made a particular mistake in enacting the particular Act, we do not stand on any formality, we will make necessary corrections.”

But, he said, “the SEZ controversy has given rise to the much due, longer-term debate with regard to the problems of rehabilitation and resettlement of the displaced families from the areas which are taken over for public purposes. I do recognise there is need for a more humane approach, which takes into account all those who suffer as a consequence of land having been taken away from them, and it will be our effort to come up with a more humane rehabilitation and resettlement policy taking into account their needs.”

“We have set in motion a growth process which promises in the years to come, if we remain faithful and steadfast in the pursuit of this inclusive growth process, we will be able to make a significant dent on poverty and unemployment.”

While he spoke of 9% plus growth, he made clear that “in the process of growth, if inflation becomes a problem and that brings agony and hardships for the poorer sections of our society, that also has to be dealt with on a priority basis.”

... contd.