We don’t need foreign companies: Anna Hazare

Bhubaneswar, Nov 30 (IANS) India can create adequate employment opportunities for its people and there is no need to invite foreign companies, social activist Anna Hazare said in Odisha Friday.

Referring to South Korean steel major Posco, which is setting up a 12 million tonnes per annum mega steel plant in the state, 75-year-old Hazare said: “Not only Posco, there should be a brake on all foreign companies.”

“They are taking away our land, water, and polluting our air. They are plundering our money and taking it away,” Hazare said while addressing a farmers’ meeting at the coastal town of Jagatsinghpur, 100 km from here, where the Posco project is being planned.

Hazare also criticised Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for saying that foreign companies would provide employment in the country.

Citing an example of job opportunities created in his own village, the septuagenarian activist said he would launch a massive agitation to protect the interest of farmers.

Accusing the government of not providing right prices to farmers for their products, Hazare questioned why farmers should not be allowed to quote their own prices when private companies are fixing high prices of their products.

The India Against Corruption founder is on a three-day Odisha visit since Thursday. He would be addressing students, farmers and a cross-section of people.

IANS 2012-11-30 19:00:13