BOA clears 21 SEZs proposals

New Delhi: The Board of Approval (BoA) for Special Economic Zone (SEZ) could not take a view on cancelling four formally approved SEZs in the absence of a representative from the State government at a meeting, even as it cleared 21 formal approvals and two conversions of in-principle to formal approval.

Briefing reporters here about the deliberations of the BoA, Commerce Secretary and Chairman of Board of Approval for SEZs, Mr Gopal K. Pillai, said that personal hearing was also given to the developers of four formally approved SEZs in Goa in the light of withdrawal of recommendation by the State Government.

After hearing the developers in detail, it was decided to refer the points made by them to the State Government for their comments before taking a final call. He said that while there is no need to cancel the dozen SEZ proposals for in-principle nod recommended by the State Government, which subsequently it sought for cancellation, the Centre’s stand on de-notifying the three SEZs already notified remains one of the matter being discussed between the developers and the State government for an amicable settlement.

Among the 21 proposals for setting up SEZs, the Board cleared those for six IT/ITES, four sector-specific, two free trade warehousing zones and one gems and jewellery SEZ in Andhra Pradesh by Deccan Infrastructure and Land Holdings Ltd, airport-based SEZ in Bangalore by Bangalore International Airport Ltd and IT/ITES SEZ in Karnataka by Milestone Buildcon Pvt Ltd.

The two SEZs that got conversion of in-principal approval to a formal one include Metal SEZ in Maharashtra by Gremach Infrastructure Equipment and Projects Ltd and engineering SEZ in the same State by Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation.