Southern States - Kerala-Thiruvananthapuram   

Govt. ready to discuss PSU restructuring

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM JUNE 26. The Industries Minister, P.K. Kunhalikutty, told the Assembly today that the Government was willing discuss restructuring of public enterprises on a case-by-case basis with the workers' unions.

Replying to the debate on the demands for grants for industries, the Minister said the recommendations of the Enterprises Reforms Committee contained in its approach paper on restructuring were not sacrosanct. In case of companies with negative net worth, possible steps such as closure, privatisation or other options could be discussed with both the factory workers' unions as well as the central trade unions.

Mr. Kunhalikutty said that one-time settlement and voluntary retirement schemes were a must for restructuring some of the PSUs. It was wrong to say that this Government was not providing any money to the PSUs. It had provided more money than the previous Government. However, it was not given for meeting working capital needs or payment of salaries. The allocations were made on the basis of professional advice.

He said the Government proposed to implement a new programme for modernisation of textile mills. It also planned to form a bamboo mission for development of bamboo industry.

Mr. Kunhalikutty said various concessions would have to be given to attract industries to the State. If the industrial agenda were politicised, development of the State would be jeopardy.

He said some positive signs had emerged following the efforts of the Government for industrialisation of the State. Entrepreneurs had taken most of the space in the KINFRA industrial parks in different parts of the State. Emphasis was being given to promotion of food processing, biotechnology and information technology.

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