Odisha SEZ: Posco seeks cancellation of in-principle approval

South Korean steel major Posco has asked the government to cancel the in-principle approval given to it for a special economic zone (SEZ) in Odisha.
An inter-ministerial Board of Approval (BoA), chaired by the Commerce Secretary Rita Teaotia, will consider the request from Posco's subsidiary Posco India Pvt Ltd on April 28, the Commerce Ministry said.
The in-principle approval granted to the developer expired on October 24, 2014.
"The developer has not made any application for further extension. Further, the matter was also sent to the Odisha government for ascertaining the status of the case but no reply has been received from the government of Odisha, IDCO (Infrastructure Development Corporation of Orissa) and developer," the agenda of the BoA meeting said.

Development Commissioner (Falta Special Economic Zone) has recommended for cancellation of in-principle approval, it added.
The company was earlier facing issues related with land acquisition.

The BoA would also take up the cancellation application of Lanco Solar. It had proposed to set up solar SEZ in Odisha.
"The developer has informed that they are not able to implement their projects due to wildlife clearance which is long pending...And without their clearance they are not authorised to take any steps in this regard," it said.
Further, the board would consider the application of Reliance Defence Ltd for issue of industrial licence for defence products.

"The proposal under consideration is the issuance of industrial licence to Reliance Defence Ltd, an SEZ unit, for manufacturing of defence products," it added.