DESH Bill deadlock likely to force Cabinet secretary to step in

The department of commerce finalised the new proposed SEZ law and sought inter-ministerial comments in June last year, with an aim to table it in the Monsoon Session of Parliament

Amid continued differences between the commerce and the revenue departments over the proposed revamped special economic zone (SEZ) law or the Development of Enterprises and Services Hub (DESH) Bill, the Cabinet secretary may step in to clear the deadlock over vexed issues.

Despite several rounds of meetings, the revenue department is not on board as far as certain aspects of the fiscal framework — tax incentives — of the draft Bill are concerned, people aware of the matter said. 

The Bill has been prepared by the commerce department.

“The next step could be that the commerce and the revenue secretaries