Kerala Minister for Industries P.K. Kunhalikutty on Tuesday sought to downplay the recent issues between the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and the Nair Service Society (NSS), stating that there was no issue beyond solution or discussion.
At a meet-the-press programme organised by the Kesari Memorial Journalists’ Trust here, Mr. Kunhalikutty said while none of the controversies that cropped up were enduring, the issues raised by the NSS would be discussed across the table. The IUML stood for cordial relations with all, he said.
Stating that the fifth ministerial berth to the IUML was “a closed chapter now,” Mr. Kunhalikutty, however, said he hoped that the media would understand whether the IUML had more than what it deserved when the Rajya Sabha seats were considered.
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Earlier, the Minister said the State was on the back foot when it came to offering infrastructure, including roads and land, to new projects. However, with campaigns like ‘Emerging Kerala’ on, efforts were on to address the shortcomings.
Though there was no boom time for the IT sector now, the State was still attracting investors, including expansion projects and second campus initiatives of major IT firms, including Infosys.
Decrying controversies that marred each and every developmental project, including those over environmental concerns, Mr. Kunhalikutty said there had to be some compromises on some aspects if development was to be achieved.
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Continuing to block progress with controversies would end up with the State remaining in the dark, he said, pointing out that the SmartCity project was an outcome of the Global Investor Meet (GIM) of the previous UDF government, but held up due to political controversies.
The government, on its part, had launched various programmes to meet the global recession. Propping up of public sector units through efforts to instil professionalism, transparency, and accountability was already on. Steps were taken to ensure the total adoption of e-tendering in all PSUs within a year, while focus was being given to taking the State to the top slot as far as e-governance was concerned.
On allegations that the previous LDF government had falsely claimed profits for PSUs, Mr. Kunhalikutty said there were cases of arrears of many companies not being considered, which was why some could be said to be running in profits. The LDF had claimed that 30 PSUs were turned into profit-making ventures, while as per the same accounts now, only 17 were.