The Industrial Revolution was a mixed blessing.

It had both advantages and

disadvantages.
Advantages
(i) Centre of economic life shifted from the villages to cities and towns where the
factories were situated.
(ii) Urban (cities) and rural (villages) life became dependant upon one another.
Isolated life of self-sufficient villages came to an end.
(iii) Men became free to develop their capabilities in areas other than farming.
(iv) It brought countries and people together. There was an international awareness among people because developments in one country influenced the others.
(v) The aristocracy and nobility with their feudal ideas were replaced by the
newly rich middle class capitalists (bourgeoisie) who also became politically
powerful.
(vi) Better transport, communications and mechanized goods made life comfortable for man.

Does industrialisation ultimately benefit the poor?

Supporters of industrialisation argue that Indias recent growth would not be
possible without industrialising its economy. SEZs are said to have the
potential to create much-needed employment and infrastructure to advance
rural areas. In West Bengal for instance, the government has proposed SEZs and
industrialisation to create social infrastructure that will ultimately benefit
farmers and the poor. Focusing on manufacturing sector could integrate
farmers into mainstream economic activity, benefiting the rural poor who
otherwise are engaged inunproductive labour. Moreover, in some parts of
India, farmers have willinglysold their land for cash that has enabled them to
set up businesses and have a better standard of living.

In achieving average growth rates of 9% over the four years until 2009,
India has caused much excitement as the economic success story that promises
to alleviate poverty. With the aim of increasing national income and maintaining
high growth rates, India has expanded its service sector and pursued
industrialisation, pushing large-scale projects and setting up special
economic zones (SEZs) - specially demarcated and self-sufficient growth
centres. These, it is hoped, will accelerate development and industrialise Indias
hinterland. However, Indias path to industrialisation is not straightforward, many
alleging that this growth story hasexcluded Indias poor. With land acquisition
being essential to building large dams, steel plants or economic zones, it is
argued that Indias rural poor are beingunfairly displaced, while benefits of the
projects bypass them. The strongest opposition in recent times has been to SEZs,

in particular to the $350 million Tata Nano project in Singur, which led
to violent protests by farmers across the country refusing to part with their
land, which were backed by many intellectuals and activists. Nearly 200
projects including factories, railroads and highways are being held back by
similar struggles.
Will push industrialisation despite poll setback: Nirupam
Indian Express.com 23 September 2009
SEZ: After 4 villages get Rs 213 cr, its the turn of 7 more
Nisha Nambiar Indian Express.com 18 January 2009
Tata pullout will hit WB industrialisation: Assocham
One India 24 August 2008
India: Industrial development will benefit the rural poor
B Prasant Political Affairs.net 19 February 2007
No alternative to setting up of factories: Buddhadeb
The Hindu 16 February 2007

Home page > Archives (2006 on) > 2007 > April 28, 2007 > SEZs: One More
Anti-Bharat Act by India
VOL XLV NO 19

SEZs: One More Anti-Bharat Act by India

The Special Economic Zone (SEZ) policy has taken one more turn with the announcement from the
Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM). The freeze on them is being lifted but several parameters
will be changed to accommodate the farmers, tribals and the civil society groups who have been
agitating against the SEZs. From the earlier no limit on the maximum size of the multi-product SEZs
now the limit has been set at 5000 hectares. The State governments are prohibited from acquiring land
for the private players and they cannot form a joint venture with a private player unless the latter has
the land to offer the project. States can acquire land for their own SEZ provided they take care of the
relief and rehabilitation as per the new policy to be announced soon. Now the SEZs will be required to
at least use 50 per cent of the land for the processing unit as compared to the earlier 35 per cent so that
the real estate component would be lower. Finally, the export requirement has been made more
stringent as compared to earlier.

Industrialisation not at the expense of farmers: PM

Agencies : On Board PM's Special Aircraft, October 25: , Sun Oct 26 2008,
11:45 hrs
India must industrialise to realise its destiny but such efforts should not come at the expense of the
nation's farmers, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on Sunday.Farmers should be appropriately
compensated when their land is acquired for setting up industries, Singh said when asked to comment
on the Nano controversy.Singh said that India needed to be industrialised to find solutions facing the
nation."Let me say that India needs to industrialise, without industrialisation we cannot find solutions
to our employment or development problems."The real issue is what are the terms on which the land
is acquired. It should not be acquired at prices which keep the farmers dissatisfied," Singh told
reporters accompanying him to Japan and China.Singh said he felt "sad" because a lot of efforts were
already made by Tata in setting up the Nano plant in West Bengal."There should be an increasing
attempt to reward the farmer appropriately," he said, suggesting that efforts should also be made to
give them a stake in the enterprises which come into existence on the land that is acquired.The
rehabilitation policy, the amendment to the Land Acquisition Act, the Bill is before Parliament."I
would like that this is not an issue which should create fiction and division among parties, because
India must industrialise to realise its destiny," he said."The only thing is industrialisation cannot be on
the backs of the poor farmers. They should be given remunerative compensation wherever land is
acquired," he added.

Industrialisation is a national necessity

December 23, 2007 | TNN
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on last Wednesday that industrialisation is a national necessity
and that a fair compensation would be paid to all those displaced by industrialisation. The prime
minister, however, agreed that diversion of agricultural land must be minimised. Addressing officials
from central and state governments at the National Development Council meeting here, Dr Singh said,
"I agree that we must minimise the diversion of agricultural land and given the...
'Industrialisation imperative for socio-economic emancipation'
May 14, 2013 | PTI
JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday called for optimum exploitation of the state's
industrial potential to boost economic and employment activities. "Optimum exploitation of vast
industrial potential in the state is needed to boost economic and employment activities in a big way,"
Minister of State for Industries and Commerce, Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo said, while interacting with
industrialists and officers of his department at Kathua district. ...
Amartya Sen bats for industrialisation
August 6, 2008 | ET Bureau
KOLKATA: Nobel laureate Amartya Sen on Tuesday warned that if "the Tatas pulled out from West
Bengal, no other industrialists would even consider coming to the state in future" . Mr Sen was
addressing an education convention at University Institute Hall organised by All Bengal Primary
Teachers' Association. Mr Sen, who is known to the world for his contribution to development
economics, underscored that no country in the world can progress without industrialisation . "I have
never seen any