Question : Land Acquired for Development of SEZs

(a) the total area of land notified/ acquired for development of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in the country during the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise;
(b) the total area of land utilised for the purpose during the said period, State/UTwise including the land unutilised along with the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Government proposes to review the SEZ policy in order to revive unutilised zones and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Government proposes to return the unutilised land to farmers and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
(e) the number of rural and agricultural industries being benefited from SEZs along with the extent of benefit in terms of percentage received by the said industries by way of SEZs?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
(SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)

(a) and (b): During the last three years and as on 8th April, 2016, 27 Special Economic Zones (SEZs) have been notified over an area of 3591.56 hectares. State-wise number of these SEZs and its area notified is at Annexure.

(c) and (d): The Government, on the basis of inputs/suggestions received from stakeholders on the policy and operational framework of the SEZ Scheme, periodically reviews the policy and operational framework of SEZs and takes necessary measures so as to facilitate speedy and effective implementation of SEZ policy. In order to operationlise the non-functional SEZs, review meetings with the Development Commissioners of SEZs are held regularly. Steps for time bound delivery of services, digitization and online processing of various activities involving Developers and Units have been taken. Also Road Shows in various cities of the country to give wide publicity to SEZs have been organised. Further, land is a State subject and land for SEZs is procured as per the policy and procedures of the respective State Governments. The Board of Approval for SEZs only considers those proposals, which have been duly recommended by the State Government.

(e): Since SEZs Act, 2005 and Rules, 2006 were notified in June, 2005 and February, 2006 respectively, approvals have been granted for setting up of 10 SEZs for Agro and Food Processing sector having the share of 2.15% to the total number of SEZs.
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Annexure to the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 158 for 25th April, 2016

State-wise number of SEZs and its area notified during the last three years and as on 8th April, 2016:
(Area in hectares)
Sl. No. States Number of Notified SEZs Total Area Notified
1 Gujarat 2 1912.29
2 Karnataka 1 17.42
3 Kerala 5 135.80
4 Madhya Pradesh 3 103.11
5 Maharashtra 5 318.24
6 Manipur 1 10.85
7 Nagaland 1 290.00
8 Odisha 1 500.15
9 Tamil Nadu 3 238.95
10 Telangana 3 13.12
11 Uttar Pradesh 2 51.63
TOTAL 27
3591.56


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