The Union commerce ministry's board of approval is yet to formally discuss on de-notification of three special economic zones in Goa, a top level officer stated.
"The issue on BoA's agenda for the last meeting but it was not taken up. The meeting was held three months back," State Industries secretary V K Jha told PTI.
Goa has scrapped 12 SEZs, including the seven, which were approved by the state government. But the government is struggling over denotification of three industrial enclaves, which has now rushed to the high court against government's intention to scrap them.
Jha, who is a member of BoA and represents Goa, said the Board has not formally taken up the decision on the matter.
"We (Goa government) have requested the ministry to withdraw the notification. There is no formal decision on our letter," Jha said.
Following public outcry and slurry of allegations by opposition Bharatiya Janata Party, Goa government had decided to scrap all the SEZs in the state. While 12 SEZs were successfully scrapped, the fate of three zones, which are notified, hangs in balance.
Meditab specialities' Pharma SEZ at Keri, K Raheja's IT SEZ at Verna and Peninsula Pharma's Bio-tech SEZ at Sancoale are yet to be denotified.
Jha said that the BoA may not be taking the stand on these SEZs as cases are pending in the court. "I am not sure but it is my personal opinion that BOA may be waiting for the court order," he said.
He said that BoA's meeting has not repeated the Goa SEZ issue on their agenda and Goa government is awaiting to represent its case whenever issue is discussed in the board meeting.
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