Indo-Iran pipeline pricing to be settled soon: Pranab

Mumbai, Feb 17: Union External Affairs Minister, Pranab Mukherjee, has said the Indo-Iran gas pipeline pricing issue would be finalised by the end of this fiscal year.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the second SAARC Business Leaders Conclave (SBLC) here today, he said, ''A delegation from Iran is already here to discuss the issue with us.'' While the pricing aspect for the Iran-Pakistan border has already been worked out, it was the Pakistan-India border for which the pricing was yet to be finalised, he said. However, he hoped that the issue would be finalised by the end of the current financial year.

On the SEZ issue, Mr Mukherjee who is heading an empowered group of ministers (eGOM), said, ''We are busy discussing the land acquisition part of the issue.'' He maintained, ''I am of the firm view that there should be a uniform policy for all the proposed SEZ projects.'' Mr Mukherjee is likely to meet UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on the SEZ issue soon to seek her clearance for an early settlement of the matter. Then eGOM is likely to lift the freeze on approvals for projects where land acquisition has already completed.

UNI