Question : TAX FREE ZONES

(a) whether the Government grant tax incentives, concessions, exemptions etc. under different schemes/programmes in tax free zones;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the location-wise details of such tax free zones in the country;

(d) whether the Government proposes to declare more areas as tax free zones in the country;

(e) if so, the details thereof, State-wise particularly Maharashtra;

(f) whether the Government is satisfied that the objectives behind setting up of such zones have been achieved; and

(g) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI S.S. PALANIMANICKAM)

(a) to (c): Yes, Sir. The details are as per Annexure-1 & II.

(d) & (e): At present, there is no such proposal under consideration.

(f) & (g): As on 31-03-2010, an investment of Rs.1,45,488.62 crore has been made in SEZs and direct employment for 5,03,611 persons have been generated. Total exports of Rs.99,689 crore have been made from SEZs during the financial year 2008-09. Exports of Rs.2,20,711.39 crore approximately have been made from SEZs during the year 2009-10 registering a growth of about 121.40% over the exports for the previous financial year.