As Maharashtra prepares for assembly polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday assured that his government will remove all tax related obstacles in the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) policy. Maharashtra has the highest number of proposed SEZs.
"I have asked my Ministry to find out the problems in implementing the policy and we will sort those in few days," he said after laying the foundation stone for Rs 6,000 crore Port based multi-product Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust ( JNPT) at Nhava Sheva in Navi Mumbai. He stressed on the need of developing more SEZs.
At the event the Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan asked for clarification from the centre on the SEZ policy and the extent of implementation of Dr. Madhav Gadgil committee report on western ghats.
Responding to him, Mr. Modi used the occasion to put down the previous UPA government. "Few old diseases are solved only by new doctors," he said.
Mr. Modi said that the ports should be developed along with SEZs. Stressing on the need to improve India's export, Mr. Modi said that each state should compete with the other to increase the export as state and centre should work together. "Historically we believed in port development, but now it's a time of port-led development," he said.
The proposed SEZ to be spread over 277 hectares is planned as a self-sustainable integrated development project having potential to generate 1.5 lakh direct and indirect jobs. The SEZ will be developed through a Special Purpose Vehicle under the EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) mode and is expected to be ready in three years.
He assured the India Inc.that his government is committed to ease out the process for obtaining various licenses.
Speaking along the lines of his speech at the Red Fort on Independence Day, Mr. Modi said that 'Made In India' brand should become as respected as 'Made In Japan.' "Around 65% youth which is below 35-years of age will surely prove its mettle and will take India to top in the manufacturing industry," he said.
Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways Mr. Nitin Gadkari who was also present at the program announced the formation of three new satellite ports, one at Surat and two dry ports at Aurangabad and Wardha in Maharashtra, for the speedy transfer of cargo to JNPT.
The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for the Rs 1,926 crore Port Connectivity Highway Project at JNPT. The project taken up under the National Highway Development and Port Connectivity Programme envisages construction of 6/8 lane highway with necessary flyovers, railway over bridges and inter-changes to ensure uninterrupted flow of traffic bound to and from the JNPT port.
The JNPT's Project Affected People were also awarded compensation in the program.
