The government will not permit Lulu group chairman M.A.Yusuf Ali to give up the project for setting up a convention centre at Bolghatty, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has said.
Addressing a seminar series on ‘Contemporary politics and development’ organised by the Thiruvananthapuram Press Club here on Monday, Mr.Chandy said he had sought a report from the Cochin Port Turst chairman on the issue. The Union government had approved the project after completing all procedures, and the High Court on a petition said that if any bidder offered better conditions, it the project should be given to them. Though extended twice, there were no takers and hence it was given to the group. The United Democratic Front (UDF) government was not ready to waste time and delay the project that would provide 4,000 direct jobs, he said.
The only hope for drawing investment was the Non-Resident Keralites and Mr.Yusuf Ali was one who stood for the interests of the State. The controversies over such projects would send a wrong signal about the investment climate in the State. A collective effort was imperative to bring in more investments. The State lost seven years in the row over the SmartCity project, the Chief Minister said.
Chennithala’s stance
Special Correspondent writes from Kannur: KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala said Mr. Yusuf Ali’s decision to withdraw from the proposed Bolgatty project is unfortunate. Speaking to the media after a function at the District Congress Committee office here on Monday, Mr. Chennithala said Mr. Yusuf Ali should re-examine the decision to withdraw from the multi-crore project.
He also urged the government to hold discussions with all concerned to ensure that the project was not abandoned. He said the government’s policy was to attract more investments.
IUML flays CPI(M)
Special Correspondent writes from Kozhikode: Indian Union Muslim League State general secretary K.P.A. Majeed has condemned the objections raised by the CPI(M) against the Bolghatty convention centre. “It is quite unfortunate that a project with immense job opportunities is being sacrificed as part of the internal quarrels and groupism within the CPI(M),” he said.
