11 SEZs sanctioned, says Chief Minister

Special Correspondent

Labour laws applicable in the zones

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Government has so far sanctioned 11 Special
Economic Zones (SEZs) under the Special Economic Zones Act, 2005, Chief
Minister V.S. Achuthanandan has said.

Replying to questions in the Assembly on Monday, Mr. Achuthanandan said
those sanctioned include the Technopark and the Kinfra film and video
park at Kazhakuttam, multi-product units at Vallarpadam promoted by the
Cochin Port Trust, food processing park at Kakkancherry, Smart City (IT)
in Kochi, Sutherland Global Services (IT), Kalamassery, Kinfra
electronics park in Kochi and Unitech Real Estate, Kunnathunadu.

All labour laws under the Industrial Disputes Act are applicable to the
SEZs too, but the enforcement of the laws will be entrusted to a
development commissioner. Each SEZ would come under a commissioner who
would monitor the implementation of the labour laws, he said. Most of
the SEZs are being promoted by industrial facilitators in the public
sector such as the Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development
Corporation (Kinfra), Technopark and the Cochin Port Trust. These zones
are eligible to enjoy concessions in civic and electricity taxes
stipulated in the Act, he said.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/03/06/stories/2007030607550400.htm