Gurgaon district which has the largest number of SEZs, 30 to be precise, in the country will not have more of them as water scarcity is affecting the projects. Both Union and state governments say unless a promoter shows how he will get water and its usage plan, there will not be any fresh approval.
Out of 34 SEZs earmarked for Haryana, 30 are in Gurgaon district. Additional commerce and industry secretary in the Union government DK Mittal said during an open house session with 50 odd SEZ developers that the state government may not clear any project in Gurgaon unless the developer is able to demonstrate how it will get water and how the project will use it in an efficient way.
Mittal's advice was immediately accepted by principal secretary in the Haryana government YS Malik who said unless a developer is able to show water availability and its use plan, the project will not be cleared.
The problem of water shortage in Gurgaon has become acute since the banning of installation of tubewells in Gurgaon district.
Malik said the state government has spent Rs 800 crore to take canal water to Gurgaon district but it will take time for water to reach the region.
On the suggestion of developers including convener of panel on SEZ developers Ajay Nijhawan of allocating water to different players, Malik said the government and developers collectively should approach the Punjab and Haryana High Court to allow installation and operation of tubewells and efficient use of water till canal water reaches the region, may be in a few years time. The developers agreed to this approach.
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