In view of the sudden outbreak of COVID19 pandemic and the nationwide lockdown, most government offices are closed and a few involved in emergency services etc., are functioning with skeletal staff. The Department of Commerce has therefore decided to provide suitable relaxations on compliances to be met by units / developers / codevelopers of Special Economic Zones(SEZs). Such compliances to which the relaxations will apply, include: • Requirement to file Quarterly Progress Report (QPR) attested by Independent Chartered Engineers by Developers/ Codevelopers • SOFTEX form to be filed by IT/ITES units • Filing of Annual Performance Reports (APR) by SEZ units • Extension of Letter of Approvals (LoA) which may expire, in the cases of: ■ Developers/codevelopers who are in the process of developing and operationalising the SEZ; ■ units which are likely to complete their 5 year block for NFE assessment; ■ Units which are yet to commence operations Development Commissioners of SEZs have been directed to ensure that no hardship is caused to Developers / CoDeveloper / Units and no punitive action is taken in cases where any compliance is not met during this period impacted by the above disruption. Further, as may be possible, all extensions of LoAs and other compliances may be facilitated through electronic mode in a timebound manner. In the cases where it is not possible to grant extension through electronic mode or in cases where a physical meeting is required, Development Commissioners have been asked to ensure that the Developer / Codeveloper / Units do not face any hardship due to such expiry of validity during this period of disruption. Adhoc interim extension / deferment of the expiry date may be granted without prejudice till 30.06.2020 or further instructions of the Department on the matter, whichever is earlier.

In view of the sudden outbreak of COVID19 pandemic and the nationwide lockdown, most government offices are closed and a few involved in emergency services etc., are functioning with skeletal staff. The Department of Commerce has therefore decided to provide suitable relaxations on compliances to be met by units / developers / codevelopers of Special Economic Zones(SEZs). Such compliances to which the relaxations will apply, include:

·   Requirement to file Quarterly Progress Report (QPR) attested by Independent Chartered Engineers by Developers/ Codevelopers

·  SOFTEX form to be filed by IT/ITES units

·  Filing of Annual Performance Reports (APR) by SEZ units

·  Extension of Letter of Approvals (LoA) which may expire, in the cases of:

■ Developers/codevelopers who are in the process of developing and operationalising the SEZ;

■ units which are likely to complete their 5 year block for NFE assessment;

■ Units which are yet to commence operations

Development Commissioners of SEZs have been directed to ensure that no hardship is caused to Developers / CoDeveloper / Units and no punitive action is taken in cases where any compliance is not met during this period impacted by the above disruption. Further, as may be possible, all extensions of LoAs and other compliances may be facilitated through electronic mode in a timebound manner. In the cases where it is not possible to grant extension through electronic mode or in cases where a physical meeting is required, Development Commissioners have been asked to ensure that the Developer / Codeveloper / Units do not face any hardship due to such expiry of validity during this period of disruption. Adhoc interim extension / deferment of the expiry date may be granted without prejudice till 30.06.2020 or further instructions of the Department on the matter, whichever is earlier.