Vedanta seeks SEZ sops to run aluminium plant.

Sesa Sterlite Ltd. (SSL), a unit of London listed mines and metals major Vedanta Resources Ltd., has urged the Odisha government to extend the benefits under the state's SEZ (Special Economic Zone) policy to run its idle aluminium SEZ at Jharsuguda.

It may be noted that the state government had repealed its erstwhile SEZ policy, 2003 and is giving final shape to a new SEZ policy.

'The delay in evolution of the new SEZ policy has adversely impacted SSL to start its additional capacity of aluminium SEZ smelter 2, which is lying idle since long as the advantages of SEZ policy as envisaged could not be availed. It is therefore requested to issue suitable directions to extend the benefits as envisaged under SEZ policy- 2003 to the new SEZ policy at the earliest so that the idle facility can be put into operation and thereby to generate employment and revenue for Odisha', Abhijit Pati, chief operating officer (aluminium & power), SSL wrote to the state chief secretary J K Mohapatra.

A meeting at the level of the chief secretary is scheduled for June 19 to discuss various issues pertaining to SSL.

BS