Board gives formal nod to 10 SEZs

The Board of Approval formally approved 10 special economic zones (SEZs) of the 19 it took up at a meeting here. So far, 386 SEZs have been granted formal approval, the last stage in the clearance process before an SEZ is notified. To date, 149 SEZs have been notified.

Among the zones granted formal approval are "" Mukesh Ambani-promoted three information technology SEZs in Navi Mumbai and Adani group's SEZ in Mundra. A Tata Consultancy Services SEZ in Gandhinagar has also been granted formal approval.

The board also accorded in-principle approval to the SEZs that have not acquired land, including a Jindal Worldwide zone in Gujarat and an Arshhiya Technologies' zone in Maharashtra.

However, the board deferred proposals for four SEZs in Uttar Pradesh. Commerce Secretary GK Pillai said the "decision on four SEZ proposals in UP, including that of DLF and Unitech Hi-Tech, have been deferred because they do not have the possession of land."

Pillai added the proposals would be cleared as soon the promoters got land. The UP government, headed by Chief Minister Mayawati, has indicated that it is not in favour of clearing the SEZs proposed during the previous regime.

Meanwhile, the board is in the process of rejecting more than 100 proposals that have not got clearance from state governments. Pillai said the promoters of these SEZs could apply afresh. Pillai said over Rs 47,732 crore have been invested in 149 notified SEZs and the projects are providing direct employment to around 40,729 people.