The empowered Group of Ministers on special economic zones, on 23 August 2006, removed the cap on the number of SEZs that can come up in the country. This decision has a rider in that the decision will be reviewed in six months or when 75 SEZs are established in the country, whichever is earlier.

Background: When the new SEZ Act, 2005 was released, the Board of Approvals on SEZs had placed a ceiling on the number of SEZs that could come up in the country at 150. On 8 August 2006, the number of SEZs approved by the BoA touched 150, causing uncertainty among pending proposals, which are estimated at over 200. This was when intervention of the eGoM was sought.

eGoM: The empowered Group of Ministers on SEZs is headed by the Defence Minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, and has the commerce minister, finance minister and the deputy chairman of the Planning Commission, as other members.

Also See:

Centre ratifies BoA approval for 46 SEZs (23-Aug-06)