10 SEZ developers, units seek more time to implement projects

Ten special economic zone (SEZ) developers and units, including G P Realtors and Cadila Healthcare have sought more time from the government for implementing their projects.
All these requests will be considered by the Board of Approval (BoA), headed by Commerce Secretary Rita Teaotia, on December 30.
The BoA is a 19-member inter-ministerial body that deals with SEZ-related matters.
G P Realtors has approached the board seeking further extension of the validity period of formal approval, granted for setting up of IT/ITES SEZ in Gurgaon, beyond November 13, the BoA agenda said.
Cadila Healthcare Ltd, a unit in Zydus Pharma SEZ at Ahmedabad, has sought extension of validity period of its Letter of Permission (LOP) beyond February 21, 2016.

"The unit has requested for further extension so as to implement the project. The unit has invested Rs 88.63 crore...

"In view of substantial investment and the positive steps taken by the unit to implement the project as well as in view of long gestation period for starting commercial production in pharmaceutical industry, DC KASEZ (Development Commissioner Kandla Special Economic Zone ) has recommended the request of extension of LoP for one year," it said.
Further, the BoA will also consider the proposal of Adani Warehousing Services, a unit in Mundra SEZ, which has sought approval for the business of import and re-export of yellow peas/pulses and red lentils.

"The export of yellow peas/pulses and red lentils are prohibited for export. The unit has submitted the request as per instruction No. 47 issued by DoC (Department of Commerce) according to which SEZ unit should be permitted to export prohibited items provided they import raw material for the same. However, each case will be placed before BoA," it added.
Further, Vedanta Aluminium has approached the board seeking approval for procurement of Bogie Alumina Tank Wagons (BTAP).
BTAP are specially designed for transportation of alumina powder for exclusive use of their SEZ and the movement of such wagons shall be regulated as per SEZ provision, it added.

During April-September this fiscal, exports from these zones stood at Rs 2.21 lakh crore as against Rs 4.63 lakh crore in 2014-15.