In the wake of farmers' protest over land acquisition for special economic zone, Maharashtra [ Images ] Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh [ Images ] on Friday assured the state Legislative Council that his government would not interfere in the process and "nothing will proceed until farmers are satisfied."

"Both the Centre and state government have consistently maintained there will be no interference from their side in land acquisition (for SEZs)," Deshmukh said in the Upper House.

India's great rush for SEZs

"It is up to the developer (of SEZ) and the farmer to sit and decide among themselves. Until the farmer is satisfied nothing will proceed," he added.

The chief minister said the state government has only notified the land for SEZs and farmers would get the market price of their land.

He said no agricultural land would be sold and there would be proper rehabilitation.

The CM was replying to a special mention by PWP MLC Jayant Patil who said the government was helping in land acquisition for Reliance [ Get Quote ] SEZ in Raigad, where farmer were protesting.