Changes in SEZ Rules: CPI (M) surprised

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Friday expressed
surprise over the move by the Commerce Ministry making certain
amendments to the Special Economic Zones Rules. It asked the United
Progressive Alliance Government not to make piecemeal changes in it.

Reacting to the March 6 notification by the Ministry, which allows a
developer to expand the area of SEZ by acquiring more vacant land in the
contiguous area, the party's Polit Bureau said in a statement this would
mean that the scope of the SEZ could be expanded beyond the initial
approval.

"This goes against the suggestion give by the Left parties that a
ceiling should be fixed for the size of the SEZ," the statement said.

It said another amendment that sought to continue with tax concessions
for the contractors working for private SEZ developers should also be
removed.

It pointed out that the CPI (M) and other Left Parties had submitted
their position on what changes should be made and that there should be
no piecemeal changes in the SEZ rules.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/03/24/stories/2007032408711200.htm