After the implementation of the special economic zones (SEZ) Act 2005 and Rules scheduled by March 2006, the Board of Approval (BoA) for SEZs will consider the 33 pending applications that were submitted prior to the notification of rules.

The BoA meeting to be held on 17 March 2006 will take up new applications and deadline for submitting applications for new projects is 1 March 2006.

The applicants who have already submitted their applications for setting up SEZs prior to notification of the SEZ rules will have to submit their applications again in the new format prescribed under the rules. The detailed project report, however, need not be submitted again.

The BoA had not considered any applications since mid-November 2005 as it was awaiting the implementation of the SEZ Act and Rules.

The pending applications include

• Seven from the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation
• One from Mahindra Gesco
• Two each from Overseas Infrastructure alliance and Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu
• Five from Satyam Computer Services Ltd

As many as 15 proposals are for setting up product-specific SEZs include:

• IT related SEZs (number unknown)
• Five for textiles and garments,
• Four for multi-products
• Three for pharmaceuticals.