The Hindu Business Line : Govt committed to wooing investments, says Kareem

Kochi, Oct. 19 The State Industries Minister, Mr Elamaram Kareem, has said that the State Government was committed to attracting new investments and it would not clear projects without first looking into environmental aspects.

The Government, at the same time, would also ensure that no project is held up in the name of environmental clearance and objections raised by environmental activists against projects would be fully addressed, he said while participating in a meet-the-press programme organised by the Ernakulam Press Club here on Monday,

Referring to the proposed Sobha Hitech City project of the Sobha Group in Kochi, he said that the company could be allowed to go ahead with its investment programme without making amendments to any of the existing regulations in the State.

The company might have to be given some exemptions. But these exemptions have been given to investors in the past, he said citing similar instances of Apollo Tyres and Grasim industries. He also clarified that the reported differences in the ruling front on large-scale investments in the State would be discussed and duly approved by LDF constituents.

According to Mr Kareem, Petronet LNG Ltd is setting up the receiving and re-gasification station on Puthuvypeen Island and the Government is likely to sign an agreement for setting up a 500-MW steam-powered power station in the vicinity of the proposed LNG terminal. Papers were being processed for the purpose, he said.

The newly-formed Infrastructures Kerala Ltd (INKEL) is carrying out a feasibility study on a flyover between Aroor and Edappally to relieve the traffic congestion on this stretch of the National Highway. This was among the several projects being considered by the new infrastructure company.

Development of the Kannur airport, a super thermal power station in Kasargod, an international convention centre at Kalamassery in collaboration with FACT, and an electronics city near Kozhikode are among the major investment plans in the State, he added.

The Minister also alleged that the ASEAN agreement, inked by the UPA Government, would badly affect the State, especially the agriculture, fishing and small-scale sectors. The move by the Centre to privatise PSUs would destroy public sector units, he said.

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