3 notified SEZs of Goa are sub-judiced: Commerce Ministry

Panaji, March 10 - The three notified SEZ proposals of Goa, which the government of Goa has requested to be denotified, are presently sub-judice, and that no SEZ has been denotified, Union Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Jyotiraditya Scindia informed Rajya Sabha.

In a written reply to MP Shantaram Naik's question, Mr. Scindia informed that the Government of Goa had recommended 15 proposals for setting up of SEZs. Out of these, seven proposals were accorded formal approval by the Board of Approval and notifications were issued in respect of three cases. Subsequently, a request was received from the Government of Goa withdrawing the recommendations of the State Government. In respect of three notified SEZs, it was noted that the earlier approvals were granted only after the recommendation and allotment of land by the State Government.

Minister further said that now, if at this stage, the State Government requests to de-notify these SEZs, the State Government may have to compensate the Developers. Moreover, the question of refund of duties/exemptions, already availed by the Developers for authorized activities, would also arise.

Mr. Scindia further informed Mr. Naik that in addition to seven Central Government Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and 12 State/Private Sector SEZs set up prior to the enactment of SEZ Act, 2005, formal approval has been accorded to 575 proposals out of which 348 SEZs have been notified. A total of 105 SEZs have commenced export.

He further informed Mr. Naik that Requests for de-notification by the developers have been received from 13 SEZs located in the States/UT of Delhi, Orissa, Gujarat, West Bengal, Haryana, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh out of which 12 have been approved by the Board of Approval. The final denotification is allowd only on refund of duties/benefits, if any, availed by the Developer

In reply to another question, Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Shri Jairam Ramesh informed Mr. Naik that the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 1991 has been amended 26 times, so far.

He further informed Mr. Naik that the amendments to the CRZ Notification, 1991 were carried out based on the inputs from various stakeholders, including the State Governments and Union territory Administrations. The major objectives of the amendments to the CRZ Notification, 1991 included providing basic facilities to local communities, developing infrastructure facilities keeping in view the public interest and promoting sustainable development.

Mr. Ramesh informed Mr. Naik that the CRZ Notification, 1991 provides for construction and reconstruction of dwelling units of local communities in the CRZ area.

He also informed Mr. Naik that the State specific amendments inter-alia include, the construction of basic facilities in Sunderbans Biosphere Reserve in West Bengal, the construction of airstrip and associated facilities in the Islands of Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar and the inclusion of green field airport in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra as permissible activity.

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