SEZ Board defers discussion on new proposals

"The proposals have been deferred. The board discussed some other issues related to SEZs," said a government official who attended the meeting.

Meanwhile on Wednesday, commerce ministry officials met officials of the Goa government as well as representatives of three notified SEZs in the state, which have been recommended for scrapping.

Developers of the three notified tax-free industrial zones in Goa include Meditab Specialities, Peninsula Pharma Research Centre and K Raheja Corp, which have already acquired land and pumped in investments worth Rs 500 crore.

Following widespread protests, the Goa government has recommended to the Centre to scrap all the zones in the state. Anti-SEZ protesters argued that the zones will put extra pressure on the already fragile infrastructure in the state and lead to influx of people from other states.

Subsequently, the commerce ministry had sent show-cause notices to 12 approved zones, asking why their status should not be revoked.

"The Goa government will have to talk to the developers of the three notified zones and sort out the issue," added the official.

The Ministry of Commerce will also meet developers of the approved zones in the state on May 4. "We will hear what they have to say. Some of them have objected to the show-cause notices sent by the commerce ministry," the official said.

Formally approved zones, which are facing withdrawal of status included Inox Merchantile Company's 48-hectare biotech zone in Verna, Panchbhoomi Infrastructure Private Ltd's 18.5-hectare infotech zone in north Goa as well as a 48-hectare infotech zone of Paradigm logistics in Verna.