Noida rules out land acquisition for Anil Ambani's SEZ

New Delhi, Nov 13 (UNI) The New Okhla Industrial Development Authority (NOIDA), Uttar Pradesh, has ruled out the possibility of compulsory acquisition of land for the upcoming Anil Ambani group's Noida Multiproduct SEZ (NMSEZ) in the state.

In a letter (2607/77-8-07-2(SEZ)/05) to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Director (SEZ) Yogendra Garg by the Government of Uttar Pradesh Industrial Development Department Special Secretary Sanjiv Kumar has said that the Noida Autority has been constituted under the UP Industrial Area Development Act 1976 for planned development.

''Large part of the proposed 2,500 acre land for the SEZ is not with the authority at present. In line with UP SEZ Poilcy (amended)2007, SEZ's requiring compulsory acquistion of land will not be approved,'' said Mr Kumar, After taking over reins in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Mayawati had raised doubts and ordered enquiry into the ADAG SEZ, which was approved by the previous Mulayam Singh government in 2006.

Earlier in August Noida Global SEZ Pvt Ltd, has moved the Allahabad High Court against a notice by Ghaziabad district magistrate for paying less stamp duty for its proposed SEZ.

Mr Kumar said land is vested in private owners, governments or village councils. ''For Noida Autority to acquire ownership of land it is necessary for the authority to purchase/acquire the land from the existing owners,'' Mr Kumar added.

UNI