Falta SEZ units seek simpler norms

The units located in Falta Special Economic Zone (SEZ) have asked the government of West Bengal to speed up the process of removing procedural bottlenecks under the state government and also to improve the infrastructure serving the zone, like the roads.

A delegation led from Export Promotion Council of EOU and SEZ met the state industry minister Nirupam Sen and sought the government's assistance in issues relating to labour, power, access to seaport, social infrastructure and procedural changes like giving more power to development commissioner.

Sen said: "The issues raised by the Council will be sorted out once the rules and regulations are formed under the state SEZ Act. As the scope of this Act encompasses many departments, it is taking time. But I am hopeful that the rules will be framed soon."

Falta SEZ, which was converted from export processing zone, has about 100 units within it.

In the last fiscal, export from Falta stood at about Rs 1,500 crore, up by 35 per cent over previous year.

The SEZ is fully occupied at present, said members of the delegation. The government would have to acquire more land to house new units. Textile and garment units could come in as textile exports were expected to rise following end of quotas from January 2005.

The existing units have asked for round the clock access to Kolkata port by a special corridor. It generally takes two to three days to reach the port after loading at the SEZ though it is only 45km away.

"West Bengal and Kolkata Police should allow the movement of trucks carrying export cargo throughout the day through the city to the Kolkata Port from Falta," Pradip Chopra, regional chairman of the Council, said.

The delegation would like SEZ units and export oriented units (EOU) to be given the freedom to buy cheaper power from independent power generating agencies as is permitted in Kerala.

The team urged the government provide land near Falta SEZ for setting up an English medium school and medical centre for workers residing in the residential block and colonies near Falta SEZ.

"We have been assured that a notification has already been issued for making the development commissioner as the registering authority for SSI units falling under EOU and SEZ categories as well as conciliation officer under labour law," Chopra claimed.