Achuthanandan softens stand on SEZ

Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 10: Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan today said the government may not insist five to 12 per cent shares from all applicants seeking to set up Special Economic Zones (SEZ) in the state.

Briefing newspersons after a Cabinet meeting here, he said all the pending applications would be sent to the Union government after discussing the issue with the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF).

Asked whether the September 30 deadline would be met for submitting the applications, the Chief Minister said, ''We will forward them as early as possible.'' He pointed out that there was a suggestion that 70 per cent land provided would be used for industrial purposes and the remaining for other purposes. This was to prevent any misuse of the tax rebates given to them for construction material and various other items.

''All such issues would be discussed in the LDF before taking a final decision,'' he added.

UNI