As many as 122 special economic zones (SEZs) are operational in the country having investment of Rs 1,61,743 crore. In a recent meeting of the Board of Approval on SEZs, a fact sheet was provided indicating the number of approvals under SEZs, operational SEZs, investment, employment and exports in the year 2009-10 and 2010-11 (up to September, 2010).

It was mentioned that the total exports in the year 2009-10 was Rs 2,20,711 crore while it was Rs 1,39,841.07 crore in 2010-11 (till September, 2010).

The meeting was attended by representatives of Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals (DCPC), Department of Revenue, Economic Affairs, development commissioners of various SEZs and representatives from other ministries.

There were 33 cases regarding extension, denotification, additional construction activities and broad banding issues.

One of the issues was specifically related to the DCPC, sources in the department said.

The DCPC had recently said that it does not support the setting up of new units based on imported plastic waste, scrap in export oriented units (EOUs) and SEZs.

"The department does not support any move for change or dilution of existing provisions for setting up of new units based on imported plastic waste, scrap in EOUs, SEZs which have long term implications for the growth of the country," the DCPC had said in a letter to the Ministry of Commerce.