As on 31.03.2016, 204 Special Economic Zones (SEZs) are functional. State/Union Territory-wise details of number of functional SEZs along with their area is at Annex.   

Review of functioning of SEZs is an on-going process and on the basis of inputs/suggestions received from stakeholders on the policy and operational framework of the SEZ Scheme, Government takes necessary measures so as to facilitate speedy and effective implementation of the SEZ Scheme, including, inter-alia, review meetings with the Development Commissioners of the SEZs, open house meetings with SEZ stakeholders, Road Shows in various States to give wide publicity of SEZs, etc.

The fiscal concessions and tax / duty benefits allowed to Special Economic Zones (SEZs) are in-built into the SEZs Act, 2005 and Rules thereunder which are uniformly applicable to all States/ Union Territories. Act provides that State Governments may take suitable exemption from the State taxes, levies and duties.

This information was given by the Commerce and Industry Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

Special Economic Zone fiscal concessions are codified in the SEZ Act; states may grant additional tax exemptions. The SEZ Act, 2005 and Rules embed fiscal concessions and tax/duty benefits for Special Economic Zones, applied uniformly across States and Union Territories, while permitting State Governments to grant exemptions from State taxes, levies and duties; implementation is supported by ongoing administrative review and stakeholder consultations.