New Delhi: Leader of Opposition L.K. Advani today (Jan 8, 2007) urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to call an all-party meeting to discuss the controversial policy of acquiring agricultural land for special economic zones (SEZs) and industrial units.

"There is a need for SEZs and industrial units but acquisition of agricultural land for setting them up has resulted in controversies in some states. I urge the Prime Minister to call an all-party meeting," Advani said, while addressing the 79th annual general meeting of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) here Monday.

"There is a need to ensure stake for the farmers in the SEZs which are set up on their land and we are opposed to acquisition of any fertile land for such purposes," Advani said while referring to the Singur controversy.

Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee has been leading an agitation of farmers at Singur in West Bengal against acquisition of land for Tata Motors' car project.

There is a need to bring greater transparency in government policies on such issues and the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government has not performed well on this front, the veteran BJP leader said.

Advani also said the BJP is against the latest boom in retail sector which is adversely affecting small traders.

"The BJP won't allow this to happen. The small traders must be integrated as partners by big players in the retail sector," he said.

However, Advani praised the UPA Government for achieving a gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate of over 8 percent.

"Such results are national achievements. We would not criticise everything just because we sit in the Opposition," he said.

"However, it is also true that the economic growth has left millions in India untouched. It is a shame that so many farmers have committed suicide in Maharashtra due to dismal state of affairs in the agriculture," he added.

"The world looks at India in a different way now. But we must be cautious, as India is not yet an economic power. It is still an economic power in making," the BJP leader said.