The Hindu Business Line : `New SEZs without affecting agriculture'

Chennai March 23 Tamil Nadu is for setting up new special economic zones as long as agriculture is not affected, said Mr K. Anbazhagan, Finance Minister, announcing a new SEZ in Southern Tamil Nadu.

In the Budget for 2007-08, the Minister announced plans to set up two shipyards, a graphite beneficiation project and the special economic zone in Virudhunagar.

Mr Anbazhagan said two new shipyards are to come up in the Chennai Ennore Port area and Cuddalore at a total cost of Rs 3,700 crore.

Graphite unit

To fully utilise the graphite deposits in Sivaganga, a graphite industrial unit would be set up using modern graphite beneficiation technology. Tamil Nadu Minerals Ltd would identify a private sector partner, he said.

Large land areas were available in Southern Tamil Nadu, where SEZs can be set up without affecting agriculture but generating thousands of jobs.

Registration

The Government will introduce a scheme to resolve the delay in fixing the market value for property. Over 27,000 registered documents with Rs 400 crore in stamp duty was blocked due to the delay. Owners will be able to avail themselves of stamp duty concession and get back the documents under the scheme, he said.

e-tendering

To make the tendering process transparent, the Government would introduce an electronic tendering system. In the first phase to be introduced from July 1, tender forms for open tenders exceeding Rs 10 lakh over the Internet. In the second phase starting from October, bids can also be submitted on-line through Web sites of the departments concerned.

Power

The Central Government has announced Rs 26,000 crore additional investment to set up more nuclear reactors with a generation capacity of 4,000 MW at Koodankulam, Tirunelveli. This would be in addition to the 2,000 MW coming up at the site. This was the largest investment in the State by the Centre in recent times, he said.

Urban Transport

In the coming year, 3,000 new buses will be purchased at a cost of Rs 350 crore by the State Transport Undertakings.

Metro Rail Project

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation recently submitted the detailed project report for a Rs 9,000-crore metro rail project in Chennai. The project comprising two rail corridors will have a total length of 49 km and is expected to start operation in five years.

The Tamil Nadu Government has agreed to bear two-thirds of the cost of the Mass Rapid Transit System to extend it from Velachery to St. Thomas Mount. The estimated cost for the project is Rs 416 crore. The second phase, the line between Mylapore and Velachery, is nearing completion, he said.

More Stories on : Budget | Infrastructure | Tamil Nadu

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page