Kerala to constitute PSU selection panel: Kareem

Kozhikode, May 26 (UNI) The Kerala government would constitute a selection board for appointment of top executives in Public Sector units in the state, Industry Ministry Elamaram Kareem today said.

The panel would screen the eligibility of probable candidates for selection as Chief Executives, including chairman, MDs and Board members, ensuring efficiency of government undertakings in the state. He told a meet-the-press-programme here that previously, the appointments were being made on mere political considerations.

On his Ministry's plans, he said it would encourage the manufacturing sector. The government was planning to study problems faced by this sector, which provided jobs to semi-skilled and unskilled workers.

He said an atmosphere conducive for investment would be created in the state, paving the way for rapid industrialisation. Special emphasis would be given to attracting investments from NRIs.

Stating that the government would increase investment in the public sector from the present Rs five crore, he said adequate fund allocation would be made in the next Budget proposals.

He said a study would be undertaken for revival of 12 loss-making public sector units, which were on the verge of closure.

Another priority area would be sand mining, which would be used for development of the state without creating environmental problems.

He said a package would be announced for traditional sectors like coir, cashew, handloom and beedi sectors.

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