Bhubaneswar: The much-awaited SEZ proposal by the IT giant Genpact India for setting up a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Orissa's state capital here was rejected by the Centre recently.

This was revealed by Orissa's Industries Minister Biswabhusan Harichandan today while replying a written question of BJP member Mohan Charan Majhi.

The minister said that Genpact India had proposed to set up an sez for Information Technology (IT) and other electronics items over an area of 24.7 acre in Bhubaneswar. "Though the state had forwarded Genpact's proposal, it was dropped by the Centre," he said.

Claiming that SEZs would add to state s financial growth, Harichandan said Orissa government had recommended names of 14 companies for setting up SEZs.

While three of the SEZs were already notified by the Centre, six others were formally approved. Five others got in-principle approval of the Centre. Genpact India was one of the companies which had got in-principle approval of the Centre for setting up the SEZ, the minister said.

Sources said that the SEZ notifications had already been made for Jindal Stainless Limited at Kalinga Nagar for stainless steeel and ancillary industries, DLF Universal's IT and Info Park at Chandaka Industrial Estate in Bhubaneswar and another IT SEZ at Chandaka Industrial Estate by the state-run Industrial Development Corporation (IDCO).
Source : PTI