Salim SEZ for Bengal gets nod

TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ MONDAY, OCTOBER 09, 2006 12:06:42 AM]

NEW DELHI: The controversial special economic zone (SEZ) projects of the
Salim Group in West Bengal were cleared by the Board of Approval (BoA)
for SEZs here on Friday. Two multi-product SEZs of an Indonesia-based
Group, involving an investment of Rs 12,500 crore, have been given
in-principle approval.

The two projects are promoted through a special purpose vehicle called
New Kolkata International Development. Clearance of the Salim SEZs is
significant since the West Bengal government was actively supporting the
projects while the Left parties were opposing the SEZ policy.

Finally, the Left allies of the UPA and the West Bengal government run
by them have arrived at a common ground — farmland will not be acquired
for these zones. The Left allies are opposing various SEZ projects
including the twin-zones promoted by Reliance near Mumbai.

The BoA considered proposals from Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu
and West Bengal, according to a statement issued here by the commerce
department.

The panel has given formal approval to eight SEZs and in-principle
clearance to 17.The proposals formally approved include Suzlon
Infrastructure for high-tech engineering including non-conventional
energy equipment at Coimbatore and Lotus Footwear Enterprises at
Thiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu.In-principle approval has also been given
to Best and Crompton for a textile and apparel part in Krishnagiri
district in Tamil Nadu.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2122680.cms