Review of SEZ policy will not hurt industry: Nirmala Sitharaman

In her response, the minister said that ongoing review and reform of government policy was inherent to public policy

The periodic review of implementation of the special economic zone (SEZ) policy will not hurt the industry, Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Monday.

Responding to supplementaries during Question Hour in Lok Sabha, she said that the review is aimed to make the policy more effective but it is not going to "hurt" the industry in any way.

In her written response, the minister said that ongoing review and reform, as necessary, of government policy and procedure is inherent to public policy.

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"The government, on the basis of inputs and suggestions received from stakeholders on the policy and operational framework of SEZ scheme periodically reviews the policy and the operational framework of SEZs and take necessary measures so as to facilitate speedy and effective implementation of SEZ policy," Sitharaman said.

Responding to another supplementary, she said that under the SEZ law, lands are acquired by the state governments. The land is either barren or infertile and no fertile land is acquired for SEZ project.

She said single crop land can be acquired to some extent.