Fisheries Administration and Lagislation

Unit 10 - International law of the sea

10.8. SEZ Law(s) and India’s Coastal Areas

The new SEZ bill that was tabled in the monsoon session (but not yet cleared) of the Maharashtra state assembly is raising serious concerns. These zones are duty-free enclaves for trade and operations, with developers getting fiscal and regulatory incentives. The new bill will give developers a tax holiday for 25 years, complete governance powers over the area and complete privatization of water and electricity supply with the right to determinate their rates. No labor laws will be applicable, so locals who have been employed cannot protest against the developer’s decisions. It also gives the developers sweeping powers to appoint the SEZ chairman to head the self-contained zone and not be governed by any local civic body.