Topic: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc, Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial
5) The current policy of integrating existing coastal SEZs into the overarching plan of coastal development under ‘Sagarmala’ can lead to a turnaround for SEZs. Analyze.(250 words)
Why this question
SEZs are a crucial step for boosting exports, which has not succeeded in India to the extent it has in other countries like China. Through sagarmala the government has been trying to boost coastal infrastructure which can be taken advantage of by SEZs. Hence this question
Key demand of the question
Following points need to be brought out in this question
- The current state of SEZs in India.
- The reasons behind their under performance
- Comparison with the SEZs of other countries to see where we are going wrong
- How sagarmala initiative can boost performance
- Other overarching changes required
Directive word
Analyze – When asked to analyze, you have to examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them as a whole in a summary. When you are asked to analyze, you have to examine each part of the problem. It is a broader term than ‘Examine’.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Explain SEZs , their purpose and design in brief, also mention about how the government is trying to boost coastal infrastructure through SEZs and the opportunities it provides for SEZs
Body
- Briefly mention about the status quo of SEZs, how they are performing, also compare their performance with Chinese SEZs as the contrasts in their performance provides an opportunity to improve our SEZs
- Analyze the reasons behind their under performance under heads like policy issues, infra issues, etc. Analyze why SEZs in out neighbourhood are doing so well, whereas we aren’t
- Analyze how sagarmala initiative will help in addressing the shortcomings faced by SEZs in India
Conclusion – mention the importance of SEZs for Indian economy and how we should focus on reaping the benefits of sagarmala to improve SEZs
