Developers will now be able to get their land classified as an SEZ at the initial stage of approval by submitting legal documents that prove land ownership. With exports falling sharply in the last six months, faster development of SEZs is seen as one way of increasing overseas sales of Indian goods and services, an official said.
Exports from special economic zones (SEZs) are likely to touch Rs 2 lakh crore in 2009-10, a 100 per cent jump from the year-ago period, with Reliance Industries' Jamnagar special economic zone expected to contribute the most to the kitty.
Narendra Modi's victory does not represent a victory of 'the Indian nation', but only an elite-driven polarising phenomenon. The sooner we -- and the BJP -- recognise this, the better, says Praful Bidwai.
The product was banned for export earlier, but has now been moved to the restricted category, under which an exporter would have to seek a licence from the government for shipments.
Centre could experiment in setting up education parks in the country like in IT sector and workout to provide special incentives to those setting up the parks, National Knowledge Commission chairman Sam G Pitroda said. He said government could experiment in establishing education parks so that it can work out strategies to enhance quality of education.
A limited number of activities will remain prohibited across the country, irrespective of the zone, including travel by air, rail, metro and inter-state movement by road, running of schools, colleges, and other educational and training/coaching institutions.
The Centre, in a stimulus package on December 7, provided an interest subvention of two per cent up to March 2009 for pre and post-shipment export credit for labour-intensive exports (textiles, leather, marine products) and SME sector.
The Directorate General of Foreign trade on Friday issued an order banning toy imports from China, which is India's biggest trade partner, for six months. The notification, however, gave no reason for the ban.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday held discussions with Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath and is believed to have reviewed the Satyam issue, a day after the minister came out in support of extending financial help to the beleaguered IT firm.
The finance ministry on Wednesday ruled out more than 26 per cent foreign direct investment in pension sector and said fund managers would be selected through a competitive bidding process.
Watal a 1978-batch Andhra Pradesh cadre IAS officer.
