In terms of Rule 6(2)(a) of the Special Economic Zones Rules, 2006, the letter of approval granted to a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) developer is valid for a period of three years within which time effective steps are to be taken by the developer to implement the approved project. The Board of Approval may, on an application by the developer, extend the validity period of the letter of approval. In last three years and current year, 224 Developers have sought extension of time for the execution of their projects including one Developer from the State of Jharkhand, i.e. Adityapur Industrial Area Development Authority for setting up a SEZ at Adityapur, Jharkhand. Out of the said 224 applicants, 211 Developers have been granted extension of time, including Adityapur Industrial Area Development Authority.

 This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) in the Ministry of Commerce & Industry Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

Extension of approval validity for SEZ developers permits the Board to grant time extensions on application, preserving project continuity. Extension of approval validity under Rule 6(2)(a) provides that a developer's letter of approval carries a three year period for taking effective steps to implement the approved SEZ project, and that the Board of Approval may, upon the developer's application, extend that validity period; recent administrative data shows 224 applications for extensions with 211 granted, including the Adityapur Industrial Area Development Authority.