HC orders Goa, Centre to take decision on SEZ within 6 weeks

Panaji, Apr 01, 2008 (Asia Pulse Data Source via COMTEX) -- -- Panaji Bench of Bombay High Court today ordered the State and Union Government to take decision on the status of the Special Economic Zone within six weeks.
The order came in the wake of petition filed by Meditab Specialities Pvt Ltd, whose SEZ was notified at Kerim village of north Goa and later scrapped.
Division bench comprising of Chief Justice Swatanter Kumar and Justice N A Britto today gave the interim order after hearing the State Advocate General on the issue.
Goa has said that it has communicated its decision to recommend the denotification of Meditab SEZ to the Centre and further decision will be taken by the Union Government.
Goa Chief Minister Digamber Kamat on New Year's eve had announced scrapping of 12 SEZs while three -- including Meditab -- were referred for denotification to the Board of Approvals.
The BoA taking up the issue in their February meeting had hinted at the compensation to be paid to these industrial enclaves.
Earlier in the day, state industries secretary V K Jha said the government is yet to take legal opinion on whether to or not to compensate SEZ promoters.
He said that the state government will take the decision in the interest of the state.
Jha had said the state will be able to decide on its stand only after getting the communication from the BoA which will give clarity to the issue. www.tradingmarkets.com; Wednesday, April 02, 2008; Posted: 12:58 AM