Panel lays out SEZ guidelines

In its seventh report — Capacity Building for Conflict Resolution — the commission has recommended negotiations as an “important mode” of tackling Left wing extremism even as the Government strengthens the capacity of security forces to act effectively. The report deals with a host of other issues, including those related to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and inter-state river disputes.

“The recently-announced National Policy on Rehabilitation of project-affected persons should be implemented forthwith for all the ongoing projects as well as those in the pipeline,” commission chairperson M Veerapa Moily said after presenting the report to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

On SEZs, an issue that has generated considerable debate, the ARC feels enterprises promoted by farmers themselves should be encouraged.

On administration in the affected areas, it has called for revitalisation of the system of periodic official inspections and review of organisational performances. “It must be recognised that a major reason for such practices falling in disuse in disturbed areas is the apprehension of senior functionaries about their personal safety while on tour,” the report noted.

The commission feels agencies like the Border Roads Organisation could be used in areas where road projects were either opposed by extremists or “are used to extort funds from local contractors”. The report also speaks of the nexus between illegal mining and forest contractors, transporters and extremists that provides financial support to the extremists.

Calling for a national water law, the commission has focused on water, asking the Centre to be more “proactive and decisive” in inter-state river disputes. It has suggested River Basin Organisations (RBOs) for each inter-state river. This can be done through a legislation to replace the River...