New SEZs without affecting agriculture'

Our Bureau

Plan for two shipyards

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The Government will introduce a scheme to resolve the delay in fixing
the market value for property.
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Chennai March 23 Tamil Nadu is for setting up new special economic zones
as long as agriculture is not affected, said Mr K. Anbazhagan, Finance
Minister, announcing a new SEZ in Southern Tamil Nadu.

In the Budget for 2007-08, the Minister announced plans to set up two
shipyards, a graphite beneficiation project and the special economic
zone in Virudhunagar.

Mr Anbazhagan said two new shipyards are to come up in the Chennai
Ennore Port area and Cuddalore at a total cost of Rs 3,700 crore.

Graphite unit

To fully utilise the graphite deposits in Sivaganga, a graphite
industrial unit would be set up using modern graphite beneficiation
technology. Tamil Nadu Minerals Ltd would identify a private sector
partner, he said.

Large land areas were available in Southern Tamil Nadu, where SEZs can
be set up without affecting agriculture but generating thousands of jobs.

Registration

The Government will introduce a scheme to resolve the delay in fixing
the market value for property. Over 27,000 registered documents with Rs
400 crore in stamp duty was blocked due to the delay. Owners will be
able to avail themselves of stamp duty concession and get back the
documents under the scheme, he said.

e-tendering

To make the tendering process transparent, the Government would
introduce an electronic tendering system. In the first phase to be
introduced from July 1, tender forms for open tenders exceeding Rs 10
lakh over the Internet. In the second phase starting from October, bids
can also be submitted on-line through Web sites of the departments
concerned.

Power

The Central Government has announced Rs 26,000 crore additional
investment to set up more nuclear reactors with a generation capacity of
4,000 MW at Koodankulam, Tirunelveli. This would be in addition to the
2,000 MW coming up at the site. This was the largest investment in the
State by the Centre in recent times, he said.

Urban Transport

In the coming year, 3,000 new buses will be purchased at a cost of Rs
350 crore by the State Transport Undertakings.

Metro Rail Project

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation recently submitted the detailed project
report for a Rs 9,000-crore metro rail project in Chennai. The project
comprising two rail corridors will have a total length of 49 km and is
expected to start operation in five years.

The Tamil Nadu Government has agreed to bear two-thirds of the cost of
the Mass Rapid Transit System to extend it from Velachery to St. Thomas
Mount. The estimated cost for the project is Rs 416 crore. The second
phase, the line between Mylapore and Velachery, is nearing completion,
he said.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/03/24/stories/2007032402431900.htm