FKCCI seeks task force for SEZs

Special Correspondent

`State has to take advantage of Centre's decision'

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Interests of the trade have to be protected: Purohit
FKCCI chief critical of single window agency
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Bangalore: The Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry
(FKCCI) has suggested to the State Government to set up a task force on
development of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and that only serious
entrepreneurs should be allowed to participate.

FKCCI president R.C. Purohit told presspersons here on Saturday that the
SEZs would spur industrial growth and the State had to take advantage of
the Centre's decision to promote SEZs. Mr. Purohit said while foreign
direct investment in retail trade was inevitable, the Government had to
provide for a "level-playing field". The interests of the trade had to
be protected.

Critical of the single window agency, Mr. Purohit said entrepreneurs had
to run from "pillar to post" to get clearances and that the single
window agency was "just on paper". Referring to the State's industrial
policy, Mr. Purohit said there had to be a monitoring committee
comprising government officials and industry representatives, which
could meet periodically under the chairmanship, preferably, of the Chief
Minister to review the progress of its implementation.

The FKCCI, he said, was opposed to the proposal of Bangalore Electricity
Supply Company to increase power tariff and instead wanted the
electricity agencies in the State to improve operational efficiency,
bring down transmission and distribution losses.
http://www.hindu.com/2006/10/08/stories/2006100818390300.htm