SEZ bill through ordinance: Minister Jha

Minister for Industry Anil Kumar Jha on Monday said the government will enact the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) bill through ordinance before the upcoming session of parliament to address investors´ concerns and promote industries.
“I have already discussed the possibility of enacting SEZ bill through ordinance before the next session of parliament with the prime minister,” said Jha.
Speaking at a program organized to discuss on draft Industrial Enterprise Act (IEA), Jha said the government was prepared to enact the law through ordinance as opposition from a faction of UCPN Maoist forced him to withdraw the bill from regular agenda during the last session of the parliament.
“SEZ bill was the top agenda of the first parliament meeting of last session. But we had to withdraw it after Chief Whip of Maoist Dev Gurung warned his party would protest it strongly and even disrupt proceeding if the bill was added in the official business list of the house,” said Jha.
Jha said the government was holding talks with major political parties to put in place SEZ Act through ordinance. “I am also planning to approach President Ram Baran Yadav in this regard.”
SEZ bill was tabled in the parliament three years ago. Initially, labor unions protested saying it does not protect labor rights. But after trade unions softened their stance, resistance from a faction of Maoist emerged.
Gurung said the bill was against the national interest and would exploit natural resources and labor rights.
Industrialists, meanwhile, requested the government to implement the IEA through ordinance. “As the next session of parliament will begin only after few months, chances of IEA being ratified do not appear anytime soon. It might also face similar dilly dallying,” said Lawmaker and President of Confederation Nepalese Industries Binod Chaudhari said.
He also urged the government to provide all the facilities promised in the new Industrial Policy through upcoming budget for fiscal year 2012/13.
Commenting on the draft IEA which Ministry of Industry circulated for wider consultation, industrialists urged the government to list major manufacturing industries in the Act itself so there were confusion over facilities and incentives they should get.
“The draft should also incorporate a provision for forming Investment Promotion Trust and Technology Development Fund, which are incorporated in the Industrial Policy,” said Hari Bhakta Sharma, vice president of CNI.
In addition to that, entrepreneurs also demanded the government to clearly define small, medium and large scale industries and make the provisions of incentives more specific for them.