The government has granted additional time to as many as 110 special economic zone (SEZ) developers between April 2012 and January this year to execute their projects in different parts of the country, Parliament was informed today.
Replying to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry E M Sudarsana Natchiappan said that SEZ developers have sought extension of validity period of the letter of approval granted to them for the execution of their projects stating reasons including adverse business climate due to global recession.
Besides, he said the developers have also cited reasons such as delay in approvals from statutory and state government bodies, delay in environmental clearance and change in the fiscal incentive regime for SEZs.
"After deliberations and taking into account the facts and circumstances of each case, the Board of Approval for SEZs has granted approval...In the case of several developers for execution of projects," the Minister said.
During April 1, 2012 and January 31, 2014, highest number of extensions were given to developers in Maharashtra (18) followed by Andhra Pradesh (14) and Tamil Nadu (13).
In a separate reply, he informed Rajya Sabha that export of agricultural products in volume terms is low due to large domestic consumption, low productivity and supply chain constraints.
"However, the export of agriculture and allied products has been increasing during the recent past," he said.
Exports in 2012-13 was Rs 1.83 lakh crore as compared to Rs 1.41 lakh crore in the previous year.
