Special Economic Zones & Export Trade•Ministry of Commerce and Industry•2022 → 2026

Development of Enterprise and Service Hubs (DESH) Bill

Status: Notified on legislative agenda but stalled

Category: Trade & Industrial Infrastructure

Successor: Meant to replace SEZ Act, 2005

Executive Inquest Summary

“Announced in Union Budget 2022 to revive lagging SEZs and make them WTO-compliant. Bill remains stuck in inter-ministerial deadlock.”

1. Original Objective & Statutory Design

Instituted in 2022 by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to govern special economic zones & export trade. Aimed at addressing core governance challenges and structural priorities of its era.

2. Implementation Architecture & Frontline Delivery

Administered under Ministry of Commerce and Industry through federal coordination, state-level departments, and executive oversight mechanisms.

3. Rationale for Action, Repeal or Replacement

Inter-ministerial standoff: Finance Ministry opposed direct corporate tax concessions and duty-free domestic sales, while Commerce pushed for flexibility.

Subsequent Legal or Administrative Framework:

Meant to replace SEZ Act, 2005

4. Empirical Evidence & Official Documentation

Official parliamentary records, ministry gazette notifications, and statutory review committee assessments concerning Development of Enterprise and Service Hubs (DESH) Bill.

Institutional Memory & Enduring Lessons

What Should Be Retained, Redesigned, or Revived?

Status: Notified on legislative agenda but stalled. Replacement: Meant to replace SEZ Act, 2005. Demonstrates the systemic lifecycle of public policy in India—highlighting how changes in state capacity, federal dynamics, and technological capability render legacy frameworks obsolete or require complete legislative overhaul.

Verified Administrative & Evaluation Sources

Official Gazette of India, Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Parliamentary Standing Committee Reports (2026)
Law Commission of India & Ministry Transition Notes