The board of approvals for SEZs would meet after a three-month gap on January 10 and take up for clearance, Tatas proposal for a multi-product zone involving land in excess of 3,500 acres, sources told PTI.
They said the proposal is likely to be cleared as all the necessary clearances, including from the security agencies, have come. The proposal, which had earlier come before the board, was referred to the security agencies as the proposed zone was close to a security establishment.
Tatas have proposed an SEZ in Gopalpur on the land, which it had initially acquired for a steel plant. The group later decided to give up the idea of a steel plant due to lack of proper infrastructure.
With the emergence of fresh opportunities in SEZs, the group wants to use ths land for its forays in to new areas. The Gopalpur SEZ is the only one so far for which the Tatas have sought approval for.
Officials made it clear that contrary to reports, the Tatas project in Singur does not enjoy the status of an SEZ. "Singur has nothing to do with SEZs," Commerce Ministry officials said.
Along with the proposal of the Tatas, the BoA will take 37 more proposals mostly from Maharashtra, where state government has already acquired 150,000 acres for industrialisation.
Despite stiff opposition from various political parties including the Left, the Centre has approved 237 SEZs while it has given in-principle clearance for another 166 zones. The government has so far notified 58 such zones.
