MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh on Thursday said the recent referendum/voting for the Mumbai Special Economic Zone in Raigad district was an exception and it would not be repeated elsewhere in the State. Briefing journalists on his return from a tour of three countries, Mr. Deshmukh said it was not really a referendum or a vote. Policy changed Under the Land Acquisition Act, the government had to invite suggestions and objections and that was all done. He said the SEZ policy had changed and there should be no more forcible acquisition of land and irrigated land should not be acquired. Twenty-two villages were falling in the command area of the Hetawane dam, which was why there was a dispute. However, the Collector was yet to submit a final report on the matter. It was also not clear whether these 22 villages were really in the command area of the dam and the Irrigation department was looking into the issue, the Chief Minister said. While the State was attracting more and more investments, land acquisition remained a major issue and there were many disputed projects. While he was abroad, Mr. Deshmukh had to stay the work on the Dow project near Pune following violent opposition. A fresh committee headed by a retired judge was to be appointed which would submit a report within a month. Maharashtra was not interested in projects which were going against the interests of the people, he said. Regarding the invitation to set up the Nano plant in the State, Mr. Deshmukh said he would meet Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata and discuss the issue. But, he did not say when the meeting would take place. Maharashtra continued to be the leading investment destination for foreign direct investment, he said. Visits 3 countries The Chief Minister had visited Switzerland, U.K. and Italy. The government had signed eight Memoranda of Understanding which would net an investment of Rs. 2,000 crore. The list of investors in Switzerland included the Reiter Group, which would set up a cotton spinning plant worth Rs 350 crore near Pune, and the Kuoni Group, which would collaborate on tourism. The State had also signed an MoU with Outokumpu, a Finland-based group, which would invest Rs. 300 crore in a coil and plate service centre near Mumbai, apart from Schlumberger, which would set up a technology centre near Pune with an investment of Rs. 500 crore. In Italy, two MoUs were signed on exchange of information, trade and economic cooperation, apart from assistance and training in food processing. In London, the Maharashtra Investment Forum showcased the State