Mumbai: The result of the first-ever referendum on a special economic zone (SEZ) are out with 91 per cent of the farmers rejecting the Maha Mumbai SEZ.
In the referendum conducted in 22 villages in Pen taluka of Raigad district of Maharashtra nearly 24,000 farmers took part and an overwhelming majority voted against the SEZ.
The district administration conducted the referendum on September 21 after villagers opposed the project that was to come up on 10,000 hectares of land. The SEZ ran into rough weather after the local residents started opposing the project over fears that it would lead to increased pollution.
The farmers were being offered Rs 10 lakh an acre.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh said opinions of farmers were taken because their villages fall in the command area of the Hetawane Dam.
The promoters of the Maha Mumbai SEZ include Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries Ltd and they had moved the Bombay High Court against the referendum.
It is the first time that a public opinion poll has been held over any land acquisition in the country.
However, the government clarified that no more referendums will be undertaken for land acquisition in others SEZs and mega projects and Deshmukh said the referendum process in Pen taluka was an exception.
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