LDF Govt not against foreign investment: Achuthanandan

Thiruvananthapuram, May 19 (UNI) Dismissing the apprehensions that the Left Democratic Front Government (LDF) was against foreign investments, Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan said he would only oppose the projects that were against the interests of the people.

''There should not be any strings attached to them,'' he said, participating a meet-the-press programme organised by the Thiruvananthapuram Press Club.

All the other foreign investments that generated employment opportunities in the state would be promoted, he said, adding the proposed Smart City project initiated by the previous Congress-led Government could not be implemented in its present form.

Referring to its promoters, the Dubai Internet City, he said it was only a real estate group. The entire project would be revised and it would be implemented only if the DIC agreed to the conditions put forward by his government.

Asked whether he still stood by his statement as the Leader of the Opposition that if the LDF Government came to power it would not repay the loans from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Mr Achuthanandan said a decision could be taken only after studying the matter in detail.

Referring to the delay in finalising the portfolios for ministers, he said it would be notified by tomorrow.

Asked where he was unhappy over the denial of Home portfolio to him in view of the stiff opposition from the rival faction within the party, he said it was the Chief Minister who allocated the portfolios to ministers and in any case he would have the command over all the departments.

To another question, he said the LDF Government would take stringent action against those who were involved in various sex rackets.

On the demand of the People's Democratic Party for the release of its supremo Abdul Nazer Mahdani from Coimbatore jail, Mr Achuthanandan said he would take up the matter with the new government in Tamil Nadu. His opinion was that Mr Mahdani would be granted bail or parol to enable him to take up proper medical treatment.

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