Haryana receives highest number of SEZ proposals

Chandigarh, Dec 25 (UNI) Haryana has received the highest number of Special Economic Zone (SEZ) proposals in the country, despite having just 1.37 per cent of the geographical area and 1.97 per cent of the total population.

Refering to the proposals received an official spokesman today said that the state government, under the guidelines of the Union government, is setting up SEZ's in various part of the state for catalysing the industrial infrastructure besides generating more employment opportunities.

The government had received 68 proposals for the SEZ's, involving investments to the tune of Rs 1.75 lakh crore. Out of these, 49 proposals had been approved in-principle by the Union Government.

The spokesman said the compensation being offered to the farmers, whose land is being acquired for the projects was the best in the country. He said that in comparison to the rate of Rs 2.60 lakh per acre given previously, the land owners were now being offered a price of Rs 24 lakh per acre for their land.

Giving further details about the SEZ, he said the state government had entered into an agreement with Reliance Industries to set up an SEZ in the state, which would be the largest spread over an area of 25,000 acres. This project would involve an infrastructure investment of worth Rs 40,000 crore and would generate further investment of Rs one lakh crore and provide employment for two lakh people, he claimed.

He said that through the industrial policy of 2005, the state government had provided various incentives for the industry, specifically in the backward areas. These include interest free loan in lieu of Value Added Tax, exemption of electricity duty, customised package of incentives and subsidy on freight for exporting units.

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