Over 550 SEZs cleared across India; none for Bihar

At a time when the Centre has given final approval to 362 special economic zones that are expected to attract a total investment of Rs 300,000 crore (Rs 3,000 billion), the country's poorest state -- Bihar -- is yet to come up with any special economic zone proposal.

Bihar does not figure at all in the list of SEZs that have been given either formal or in-principle clearance by the board of approval. In sharp contrast, the Board has cleared a total of 550 proposals across 20 major states.

The 362 SEZs that have received formal nod are expected to attract investment of Rs 300,000 crore and create jobs for 40 lakh people, according to commerce ministry estimates.

"There has not been any proposal from Bihar backed by the state government... it seems to be their conscious policy," a central government official said. Bihar has remained an SEZ-free state as Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-led

government is believed to have taken a decision to avoid any controversy due to land acquisition.

Farmers in several other states such as neighbouring Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal have protested land acquisition for SEZs and other industrial activities.

Uttar Pradesh has also pressed the pause button on sending fresh proposals to the Centre, pending review of these projects by the new government led by chief minister Mayawati. Ever since Mayawati took charge, she has stopped forwarding any applications, the official said.

As per the SEZ rules, the board of approval cannot give formal clearance to any proposal unless the land has been acquired and it has the backing of the state government.

India's great rush for SEZs