West Bengal: Wipro, Infosys likely to pull out SEZ projects

New Delhi, 20: IT-major Wipro and Infosys are likely withdraw their SEZ projects from West Bengal following the mandate that says companies should get the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) notified by March 31, 2012.

Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee had earlier opposed to the idea of granting SEZ status to both Wipro and Infosys, where both have acquired 50 acres of land in Rajarhat.

The coming of Wipro and Infosys in the state is expected to generate atleast 20,000 jobs opportunities.

"We are creating land banks. We will not do any such thing which goes against the people and the farmers. I want Infosys to come here. But tell me when we have a policy not to set up SEZs, then how can we change the rules for Infosys," Mamata Banerjee had asked earlier.

"I cannot discriminate. We are ready to give them all help but we cannot allow SEZ. If we allow them then we won't allow others. This discrimination cannot happen. Whosoever it may be, we will not allow SEZ. We will not withdraw the Land Ceiling Act," she said.

"We are looking forward to a fruitful solution. It will take sometime. Obviously, wherever we operate, that should be financially viable for us. We are looking at that," said Binod Hampapur, Infosys vice-president and global head of commercial and corporate relations.

OneIndia News