Review of SEZ policy will not hurt industry: Nirmala Sitharaman

The periodic review of implementation of the special economic zone policy will not hurt the industry, Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on May 2. Responding to supplementaries during Question Hour in Lok Sabha, she said the review is aimed to make the policy more effective but it is not going to "hurt" the industry in any way. In her written response, the minister said the ongoing review and reform, as necessary, of government policy and procedure is inherent to public policy.

"The government, on the basis of inputs and suggestions received from stakeholders on the policy and operational framework of SEZ scheme periodically reviews the policy and the operational framework of SEZs and take necessary measures so as to facilitate speedy and effective implementation of SEZ policy," said Sitharaman.

Responding to another supplementary, she said under the SEZ law, lands are acquired by the state governments. The land is either barren or infertile and no fertile land is acquired for SEZ project. She said single crop land can be acquired to some extent.