Reliance seeks time to present its case on SEZ

The Reliance Industries-promoted Mumbai SEZ Pvt Ltd, which is developing a special economic zone (SEZ) over 10,000 hectares on the outskirts of Mumbai, has written to the central government for time to present their case before it.

It may be recalled that the EGoM, which has been constituted under the chairmanship of the external affairs minister earlier this month, had taken a decision to put a cap of 5,000 hectares on the size of SEZs. The EGoM also ruled that there will be no state government-sponsored land acquisition for SEZs.

These two decisions put the future of the two SEZs promoted by the Reliance Industries at Jhhajhar in Haryana and at Panvel near Mumbai in limbo.

Sources close to the development said, "The Mumbai SEZ Pvt Ltd has written to the Centre asking it to give time to make a presentation to show how the project is important for Mumbai, Maharashtra and country?s future."

The company will also explain to the EGoM how the cap on the size is not feasible and why the state government?s help will be required in land acquisition, sources added.

Meanwhile, there was a buzz in Mantralya about the state government formally issuing orders staying the process of land acquisition for the Mumbai SEZ.