India open to reviewing land ceiling on SEZs: Nath

Posted online: Wednesday, April 18, 2007 at 0000 hours IST

BEIJING, APR 17: The government is open to changes in the 5,000 hectare
ceiling for special economic zones (SEZs) which was decided at a meeting
of an empowered group of ministers about two weeks back.
"We have a broad parameter. If there are any specific or area-specific
issues, which do not have any controversy, of course we will look at it
(the ceiling) in certain conditions," commerce minister Kamal Nath said
here.

"This is not the Gita or the Bible. No?," Nath said when asked whether
the government would have a re-look into the land ceiling policy for
setting up the special economic zones.

Nath's remark comes a day after Reliance, whose two projects would be
impacted by the ceiling, said the government would rethink its stand.

"I am sure this is not a final no. There is much more to come... .. We
will go to the government, we will place our ideas with them, and we are
sure they will change their mind," Reliance's SEZ group head Anand Jain
told a TV channel.

The agreement to limit the size of special economic zones was the one of
the major factors leading to lifting the freeze on these zones that was
in place since January.

The limit was expected to put to rest controversy surrounding land
acquisitions for special economic zones.

—PTI

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