Kerala - Kozhikode   

No special State sops for SEZs

Kozhikode: Special Economic Zones (SEZs) would be sanctioned strictly in compliance with the existing employment laws of the State, and there was no room for concern over the security of employees, said Industries Minister Elamaram Karim here on Sunday.

He was inaugurating the delegates’ meet of the State conference of KSEB Officers Association.

Mr. Karim reiterated that no special legislation would be made to prevent protests or agitations by SEZ employees for their rights. The Minister, who stated that the industrial firms that come under SEZs would not be declared public utility services, also said that tax relaxation would be given only to firms for industrial purposes.

Mr. Karim said many of the suggestions put forward by the United Democratic Front (UDF) government for SEZs in 2005 would not be included or implemented as they were “against the best interests of the State.” While maintaining that the State could not do away with SEZs, it being the result of a Bill passed by Parliament, he, however, flayed the media for “shallow criticism” of a major project with far-reaching implications.

He said SEZs would help generate more employment in the State.

As many as 60,000 Keralites leave the State every year in search of employment. “We need to check this by giving them better opportunities and helping the State develop faster,” he said.

Regarding the ‘power crisis’ faced by the State, Mr. Karim said it was high time the State considered the possibility of going ahead with the Athirappalli and Pathrakkadavu hydro-electric projects without harming the ecosystem or the environment. “Blind and baseless arguments against such projects would only slow down development activities in the State,” he said.

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