Decisions on SEZs by end of month: CM

Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 24: Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan on Wednesday, Sep 24 said a decision on establishing Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in the state will be taken before the end of this month.

Briefing newspersons here after a meeting of the state Cabinet, the Chief Minister said the final decision would be taken at the next Cabinet meeting.

Asked whether there was any difference of opinion among his Cabinet colleagues on the issue, he said there was no such disputes.

''We have almost reached a decision and it will be finalised soon.'' It is learnt that the CPI, the second larget constituent in the ruling coalition, wanted a legislation for incorporating certain conditions before allowing SEZ in the state.

It may be recalled that the Left Democratic Front (LDF) State committee had given the green signal for establishment of SEZs subject to compliance with 12 specific conditions.

The LDF panel stated that 70 per cent of the land must be used for industrial purposes, all labour rights must be protected and environmental laws complied with, tax breaks and other concessions should be given only to the part of the SEZs used for industrial purposes and that too only for specific periods.

It also recommended to the government to forward the ten SEZ proposals already approved by the high-level committee headed by the Chief Secretary to the Centre subject to the applicants complying with these conditions.

UNI