Assocham president Venugopal Dhoot has requested prime minister Manmohan Singh to convene immediately a meeting of the industry and states to review the situation arising out of the government's move to put SEZ clearances on hold.

"Dhoot wanted the PM to call for a meeting of industry chambers and state governments just as it had on the reservation policy, to find clarity on the issue.

He said such a meeting was of importance to prevent anybody from taking political advantage from the discontent, referring to the uproar in Nandigram and Singur over acquisition of land, which had led to many state governments exercising caution on forwarding proposals to the centre.

The centre has also decided to put on hold fresh approvals for special economic zones pending a review by the group of ministers on SEZs and the formulation of a new rehabilitation policy for farmers.

As a result, the meeting of board of approvals in the commerce ministry, which was to have taken up more than 70 new cases of SEZs on 19 January, has been postponed.

Dhoot said the chamber was in favour of SEZs, which could play an important role in the country's growth, but against exploitation of any form in the name of SEZs and added, "we would ensure that the industry does not indulge in such practise."