Peoples audit of SEZs in Tamilnadu

(KINDLY CIRCULATE WIDELY)

INVITATION: PUBLIC MEETING
PEOPLE’S AUDIT OF SEZS IN TAMIL NADU

Date: 26th October 2009; Time: 11am-1pm;
 Venue: Dhyana Ashram, # 25, Mada Church Road, Mandaveli, Chennai 600028
(Close to St. Antony's girls school, take right turn after Santhome
Church while coming from Light house/Marina Beach)

On 24th-25th October 2009,  an eminent panel of lawyers, social
scientists, journalists, retired bureaucrats from different parts of
the country will visit different districts of Tamil Nadu, namely,
Kanchipuram, Thiruvannamalai, Thiruvallur, Madurai, Thirunelveli,
Krishnagiri and Vellore to critically examine issues emerging around
SEZs/industrial estates—of land acquisition; displacement; corruption;
environmental impact; compensation, employment generation, livelihood
loss and labour rights as well as questions of development and
economic growth.

On 26th October 2009, the audit panel will present its findings in an
open forum in Chennai which will be attended by representatives of
state government, members of media, struggle groups, labour groups,
NGOs and concerned citizens.

We cordially invite you to participate in the public meeting on 26th
October (venue and time noted above). Your participation and
engagement will prove extremely valuable in critically examining the
unfolding political economy of SEZs/industrial estates and in
articulating the development needs of the State. We hope that you will
join us in this process.

This effort has been jointly initiated by the Sirapu Porulaathara
Mandala Edirappu Iyyakkam (Movement Against Special Economic Zones in
TN) and its member organisations- Thervoy Grama Makkal Munnetra Nala
Sangam, Walaja Unriya Vyvasaigal Nala Sangam, Tamil Nadu Vyvasaigal
Inamanamgulam Kilai, Madurai Mavatta Vyvasaigal Nala Sangam, Vyvasa
Thozhilar Nala Sangam, Amaipusara Thozhilar Koottamaippu. Supported by
National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM), Unorganised Workers
Federation, Dalit Land Rights Federation (Mannurimai Koottamaippu);
Tamil Nadu Women’s Forum and many other TN based peoples’ movement and
organisations.

 Looking forward to your kind participation.

 Warm Regards,

Campaign Against Special Economic Zones (Sirapu Porulaathara Mandala
Edirappu Iyyakkam)
On Behalf of the Organisers.

Madhumita Dutta (09444390240) ; Chandrika Ramanujam (09444455385) ; K
Sarvanan (09941408181) ; Anbuvendan (09841112523) ; S Perumal
(09443396786)