TCS, DLF seek govt nod to set up IT SEZs in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh

TCS has proposed to set up an IT/ITeS SEZ at Noida in Uttar Pradesh in an area of 19.9 hectares.

Software firm TCS and realty major DLF have sought government nod to set up special economic zones (SEZ) for IT sector in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.

These proposals will be taken up by the Board of Approval, the highest decision-making body for SEZ, in its meeting on February 26 here. The inter-ministerial body is chaired by the commerce secretary.

TCS has proposed to set up an IT/ITeS SEZ at Noida in Uttar Pradesh in an area of 19.9 hectares, according to the agenda paper of the board meeting.

The total proposed investment for the project is Rs 2,433.72 crore.

Development Commissioner of Noida SEZ has recommended the proposal for grant of formal approval for setting up the zone.

On the other hand, DLF has proposed to set up two SEZs in Haryana. The proposed investments for these projects are Rs 793.95 crore and Rs 761.54 crore.

The requests of these two companies have been placed before the Board of Approval for consideration, it said.

SEZs are major export hubs in the country as the government provides several incentives and single-window clearance system.

As on November 14, 2019, the government has approved 417 such zones in the country. Out of this, 238 zones are operational.

Exports from these zones grew by about 14.5 per cent to Rs 3.82 lakh crore in April-September 2019-20. It was Rs 7.02 lakh crore in entire 2018-19 financial year.

Infra, realty trusts can set up biz in SEZs. Will this increase exports?

The Centre amended the Special Economic Zones Act (SEZs Act) in August 2019 to broaden the definition of "person" who can set up their units in these zones.

The new expanded definition of a “person” who can set up a unit in a special economic zone (SEZ) can help increase the number of exporting units in India and help utilise the full potential of the land in these zones, experts say, though it may not further the SEZs’ basic purpose of increasing the country’s net exports.

The Centre amended the Special Economic Zones Act (SEZs Act) in August 2019 to broaden the definition of “person” who can set up their units in these zones. After the amendment, "trust” or “any entity as may be notified by the Central Government" can set up their operation in SEZs.

The bill does not review taxes imposed on units inside SEZs, nor does it address fine-tuning of the policy according to state- and sector-specific requirements, rising dependency on imports, or lack of connectivity and infrastructure, experts pointed out.

SEZs are clusters developed to foster industries which can help boost exports. The government has, so far, notified 351 SEZs of which 232 across India were operationalised. However, about 150 SEZs across India remain non-operational, with half of the land notified for SEZs lying vacant.

The establishment of these SEZs has also fueled land conflicts ever since their inception. About 11 such conflicts have been recorded so far by Land Conflict Watch (LCW), an independent network of researchers and journalists across India mapping land conflicts.

This is the fourth story in our series examining the 35 bills that the 17th Lok Sabha (lower house of parliament) passed during its last session, when it worked for 281 hours over 37 days to pass a bill every eight hours on average, referring none to a committee for detailed scrutiny. The SEZ bill was passed on August 5, 2019, when the lower house of parliament abrogated Jammu and Kashmir’s special constitutional provision. Critics say many approved bills had infirmities that further debate and committee appraisal could have ironed out.

Business Standard