Chhattisgarh unveils SEZ policy

Chhattisgarh government has unveiled the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) policy 2010 in a bid to widen its investment horizon and attract more investors in different sectors.

The state cabinet cleared the policy on Thursday proposed by the industry department. A few amendments were made in the draft after senior ministers raised objections on some points. The ministers advocated developing SEZ in the areas where government had more land.

Under the SEZ policy, exemption would be given to the developers, industrial units and other establishments within the zone from local taxes and levies. However, they would have to pay the mandi tax and land diversion fee, state's industry minister Dayaldas Baghel said.

The state government had proposed to develop two SEZs in the proposed new capital of Chhattisgarh. The two SEZs would house units related to Gems and Jewellery, and information technology. The government intents to develop solar energy parts SEZ as well in Rajnandgaon district.

According to Baghel, proposal to develop fourth SEZ in Durg or Kawardha district was in the pipeline. In all, the state is set to draw an investment of Rs 5000 crore through SEZ, Baghel said, adding that the new policy would help attracting investors in various sectors of the state.

The department of industry and commerce had been made the nodal department to facilitate the development of SEZs under the new policy. A single window system would be in place to clear all official formalities from a single desk.

A high-level committee had also been formed to monitor and supervise the development of SEZs. State's chief secretary will head the committee.