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The sun will not set on software technology parks in 2009. CNBC-TV18 learns that the IT ministry is going to push for a ten-year extension of tax holidays for STPs. IT companies can breathe easy. CNBC-TV18 learns that the IT ministry will soon move a cabinet note seeking to extend the tax holiday enjoyed by STPs by 10 years. The hugely popular STP scheme is set to expire on March 31, 2009. This could well make the STP scheme more attractive than SEZs as STPs will enjoy 100- per cent tax holidays for 10 years, whereas SEZ's enjoy 100-per cent tax holidays on exports only for five years. In fact, many in the industry believe that the mad rush to set up IT SEZs was driven largely on account of the sunset clause on STPs was expected to be tempered. Sources in the DIT tell CNBC-TV18 that a final decision will be taken before the end of this year. Interestingly, this move comes at a time when the Board of Approvals, which clears SEZ proposals, wants to press the pause button on IT SEZs. In fact, the government is unlikely to give approvals to any more IT SEZs. This move comes after 148 IT SEZs have been given the formal go ahead. But the industry will not be too perturbed with a pause in IT SEZs, even if the STP scheme is given the extension. | 
