Lupin gets more time from govt to complete project in Indore SEZ; vows to begin production before March 2020

New Delhi: The government has approved a proposal of drug firm Lupin to take more time for completion of its project at Indore special economic zone (SEZ) with proposed investment of Rs 205.69 crore. The decision to give more time was taken by the the Board of Approval (BoA) in its meeting on 22 April here. BoA is an inter-ministerial body, headed by the commerce secretary. It is the highest decision-making authority of SEZs. “The board, after deliberations, approved extension of the validity of the LoP (letter of permission) up to 11 April, 2020,” the minutes of the BoA meeting said. [caption id=“attachment_4211009” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. Getty[/caption] The company is setting up its pharma unit in Indore SEZ to manufacture pharmaceutical formulations metered dose inhalers and dry powder inhalers. It has requested for extension of letter of permission (LoP) beyond 11 April, 2019, for one year up to 11 April, 2020. It had received the LoP on 12 April, 2016, extended twice till 11 April this year. The development commissioner (DC) of Indore SEZ had recommended the company’s request to BoA as the unit has made expenditure of Rs 43.11 crore till 28 March and the construction activities are in full swing and, are expected to be completed by November 2019. The unit has expressed its commitment to commence production before March 2020. The company has stated that the delay in apportionment of land resulted in delayed start of the project. As per the SEZ rules, DC is authorised to grant extension of validity of LoP beyond second year of expiry of the original validity. However, it is subject to a condition that two-thirds of the activities including construction relating to setting up of the unit is complete and a chartered engineer’s certificate to this effect is submitted by the entrepreneur. If these conditions are not met, then the unit has to approach the BoA for seeking more time. Further, the Board of Approval has granted in-principle to a proposal of L&T MBDA Missile Systems Ltd for setting up of an SEZ unit in Aspen Infrastructure Ltd for assembling, integration, functional testing of missile sub systems and missile weapon systems. Similarly, a proposal of Tata Power Company, SEZ unit under Cochin SEZ, for grant of industrial licence for manufacture of defence aircraft for military applications.