BS Reporter / New Delhi July 10, 2008, 0:54 IST Though the Planning Commission favours imposition of a direct tax on Special Economic Zones (SEZs), it does not agree with the contention that these tax-free industrial enclaves are leading to revenue loss.

In an apparent departure from its stance of being environment-friendly, the Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to pass any order on a petition filed by a few Gujarat fishermen challenging the Special Economic Zone at Mundra. In what comes as a breather for the Adani group, the apex court asked the petitioners to approach the respective High Court for directions, if any.

J. Venkatesan New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday vacated the status quo order on construction work at Adani group's Rs. 7,400-crore multi-product Special Economic Zone (SEZ) near the Mundra port in Gujarat. A Bench comprising the Chief Justice, K.G. Balakrishnan, and Justices P. Sathasivam and J.M. Panchal vacated the interim order after hearing senior counsel Harish Salve, appearing for the Adani Group. As counsel for petitioners wanted to withdraw the petition, the Bench dismissed it as withdrawn. The Bench, however, asked the Adani Group not to fill the creeks.

PANJIM, JULY 8

On media reports that Goa would have to pay compensation to the notified SEZs for the Centre to de-notify them, GPCC chief and South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha said the government would pay but the question is how much. He asserted that compensation should not be paid for works undertaken by the SEZ promoters where they didn't obtain approvals. Why should Goa pay for works, which have no approvals, he asked.

Nellore, July 7: Two more Special Economic Zones (SEZs) are likely to come up at Muttukur and Chillakur in Potti Sri Ramulu Nellore district. The Surveypalli legislator, Mr Adala Prabhakar Reddy, has revealed this while addressing a meeting at Paturuvarikandriga in Muttukur mandal on Monday.

Serves deadline for disbanding GIDC MARGAO, JULY 6

BY HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JULY 5 - The SEZ Virodhi Manch will hold a mega public meeting on July 6 at the Colva Church hall, Colva at 10 am to expose the sins of omission and commission in the fraudulent allotment of land to the SEZ promoters and the sloppy handling of decision taken to scrap SEZs by the Chief Minister, State government and the GIDC and the Goa police.

The state government has ayed proposals for setting up three pharmaceutical units with an investment of Rs 275 crore in special economic zones at Indore and Gwalior. The Glenmark group would establish two units - Rs 175 cr - while Teva API India group would set up one over 29 hectares at Gwalior. The latter unit's products would be exported only and the group has three such pharma units in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh, sources said today.

Gurgaon: A day after farmers protesting against a proposed SEZ in Harsaru burnt two JCBs and blocked traffic on the Gurgaon-Pataudi Road, some youths damaged the official vehicle of an ACP and set it afire when the ACP was heading towards Gurgaon on Wednesday morning. Soon after, police conducted a flag march in the troubled area.