Signs of lacunae in SEZ policy

In an indication of lacunae and shortcomings in the once-hyped Special Economic Zones (SEZ) policy, the developers of 19 notified and 52 approved projects have sent proposals to the Centre seeking de-notification or withdrawal of their proposals.

In a written reply to a question by Atul Bhatkhalkar (BJP) and others in the state legislative assembly on Monday, industries minister Subhash Desai said the developers of 19 de-notified SEZs covering 3,001.8hectares (ha) and 52 approved SEZs on 7,408.05ha approached the Centre seeking de-notification and withdrawal from these proposals due to three reasons — the changed policy of the Centre regarding the SEZs, global recession and market fluctuations.

The state government has announced a policy to develop Integrated Industrial Zones to utilise the land of those SEZs that have been de-notified and or have had their proposals withdrawn.

Under this, a minimum of 60% of the notified area is to be used for industrial development and the remaining area is to be used for the development of complementary facilities. Three-fourth of the land is to be used for residential and other non-residential purposes and one-fourth will be utilised only for commercial and economic use.

A committee has been constituted under the industries minister to scan SEZ proposals.