Govt fails to break deadlock over SEZs

At a meeting, the EGoM fails to reach a consensus on the fate of SEZs and agrees to reconvene 10 days later, reports Monica Gupta.

The government has been unable to resolve the policy deadlock over land acquisition linked to the programme for setting up future special economic zones in the country.

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The cabinet sub-committee which met on Monday, was unable to thrash out a unanimous viewpoint and has agreed to reconvene 10 days later, Commerce and Industries Minister Kamal Nath disclosed.

It has however clarified that the 63 SEZs, which already have the go-ahead, will not be covered by the rehabilitation policy being proposed by the government to deal with displaced population. "All other cases will be decided only after a meeting of the EGoM is concluded. There are over 300 SEZ proposals pending before the Board of Approval (the nodal authority for approvals) which includes 118 new cases and 185 pending cases," added Commerce Secretary GK Pillai.

(With inputs from Sangeeta Singh and Utpal Bhaskar)