BJP urges probe into ''proliferation'' of SEZs

Lucknow, Dec 24: The BJP today demanded a probe into the ''indiscriminate proliferation'' of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in the country by Union Commerce Minister Kamal Nath during the last six months, disregarding objections by the state governments.

The demand, made by former MP Kirit Somaiya, was adopted in the economic resolution. Mr Somaiya said that there were just 393 SEZs in the the world over, while Mr Nath had given his approval for 467 SEZs in the country itself.

''In the case of Gorai SEZ in suburban Mumbai, involving 1000 hectares of land, the clearance was obtained in just four days in March 2006 while the Maharashtra government was yet to give its approval,'' he said, citing documents obtained from the state government in this regard.

Mr Somaiya claimed the same was the fate of several SEZs in Pune and Powai but the extent of land involved here was not as huge as Gorai.

''In one case, one SEZ project involving 10,000 'acres' was made three times bigger at 10,900 'hectares','' he said, adding that in many cases, the state governments had not given their permission.

He also cited a case in Karnataka, involving about 2,500 acres of land near Bangalore, where approval had been given for a SEZ even though the state government had objected to the project because it feared the promoter was from a ''dubious background''.

''The SEZs are potential instruments for tax evasion and the party has to demand the probe,'' Mr Somaiya urged.

Senior BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu, who was the prime mover of the economic resolution, announced that the amendment suggested by Mr Somaiya has been accepted and the party backed him in his fight against ''proliferation'' of SEZs.

Noting that a ''big country'' like China had only six SEZs, he called for the country to exercise caution in this regard.

UNI

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