Salim SEZ for Bengal gets nod

NEW DELHI: The controversial special economic zone (SEZ) projects of the Salim Group in West Bengal were cleared by the Board of Approval (BoA) for SEZs here on Friday. Two multi-product SEZs of an Indonesia-based Group, involving an investment of Rs 12,500 crore, have been given in-principle approval.

The two projects are promoted through a special purpose vehicle called New Kolkata International Development. Clearance of the Salim SEZs is significant since the West Bengal government was actively supporting the projects while the Left parties were opposing the SEZ policy.

Finally, the Left allies of the UPA and the West Bengal government run by them have arrived at a common ground — farmland will not be acquired for these zones. The Left allies are opposing various SEZ projects including the twin-zones promoted by Reliance near Mumbai.

The BoA considered proposals from Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, according to a statement issued here by the commerce department.

The panel has given formal approval to eight SEZs and in-principle clearance to 17.The proposals formally approved include Suzlon Infrastructure for high-tech engineering including non-conventional energy equipment at Coimbatore and Lotus Footwear Enterprises at Thiruvannamalai in Tamil Nadu.In-principle approval has also been given to Best and Crompton for a textile and apparel part in Krishnagiri district in Tamil Nadu.