Date:19/03/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/03/19/stories/2006031902720300.htm

Back Govt gives final nod for 73 SEZs

Our Bureau

New Delhi , March 18

The Board of Approval (BoA) on Friday gave its final approval for the setting up of 73 special economic zones (SEZ) involving an investment of about Rs 1,00,000 crore and leading to the creation of about 5 lakh jobs.

Among the SEZ proposals that received final approval from the BoA are the Reliance Infrastructure's petrochemical SEZ at Jamnagar (at an investment of Rs 20,000 crore), Mundra SEZ of Adani Group, Bajaj Auto and proposals of the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC).

In-principle nod was also granted for about 75 SEZs, for which land acquisition is yet to be completed. Among the proposals that received in-principle nod are the Reliance Industries SEZ proposal in Haryana and that of Bharat Forge.

Land acquisition

Speaking to Business Line, Mr G.K. Pillai, Special Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, said that all the 73 SEZs, for which final approval was granted, had completed their land acquisition.

"Of the 73 approvals, about 15-20 were multi-product SEZs. Approval was also granted for sector-specific SEZs such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and information technology," he said. He added that BoA considered the SEZ proposals relating to the three States of West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.