Govt not opposed to allowing SEZs in Kerala: Kareem

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 20 (UNI) Kerala Industries Minister Elamaram Kareem today said the Left Democratic Front (LDF) Government was not opposed to allowing Special Economic Zones (SEZs) without surrendering labour rights.

Participating a discussion on the ''Industrial Scenario of Kerala'' organised by the Kearla Union of Working Journalists here, he said the government was keen on projecting the state as an ideal investment destination.

Mr Kareem said the government had not opposed to granting SEZ- status in deserving cases if it would help entrepreneurs enjoy certain facilities and concessions.

Stating that there was a wrong notion that SEZs operated totally outside state labour laws, he said in the Central Act, there was a provision for appointing a Labour Commissioner in every SEZ to handle labour issues.

Regarding tapping of mineral wealth in the state, the Industries Minister said the government's policy was to retain mining rights in the state sector while allowing private players to set up units for value-addition.

Mr Kareem said the new industrial policy of the state would give a thrust to industrial parks to tap investment in areas like IT and electronics, garment-making and food processing.

Former Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty, who also participated in the discussion, suggested that political parties to rise above sectarian considerations for the state's development.

UNI