Mega industrial parks to come up in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 2 (UNI) Mega industrial parks and industrial corridors, an electronic hub in Kochi, Spices park in Idukki, Knowledge park in Kozhikode with world class facilities and a health and textile corridor in Palakkad are some of the projects proposed to be taken up by the Left Democratic Front government in Kerala for the rapid and massive industrialisation of the state.

Announcing the proposals in his address to the budget session of the State Assembly today, Governor R L Bhatia said the government was committed to convert the state as an investment-friendly state and serious attempts were being made to remove procedural hassles.

He said the government was concentrating more on improvement of infrastructure facilities, encashment of specialities of Kerala society, showcasing specific and unique areas for investment, simplifying procedure and creating an atmosphere for the massive industrialisation of the state.

The proposed LNG Terminal and the Vallarpadam Container Terminal in Kochi would surely help the state to go in for industrialisation in an unprecedented scale, Mr Bhatia said.

The Governor said the government was taking all possible steps to revitalise the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) which funded industrial projects.

A Telecom City aimed at creating employment opportunities for about 6,000 people would be set up under the auspices of the Small Industries Development Corporation (SIDCO).

Steps had also been taken to improve productivity in the Khadi sector replacing charkas and looms.

Mr Bhatia said steps would also be taken to make public sector undertakings profitable.

The traditional cashew industries would be revived by encouraging value-added products. Cashew plantation would be promoted in a big way to increase the availability of raw cashew nuts. The government also proposed to constitute an agency consisting of trade union representatives under the Cashew Special Officer for the development of cashew industry and cashew plantation.

The Governor said coir cooperatives would be revived for improving productivity and employment generation in the sector on which nearly 3.75 lakh people are depended for their livelihood.

Special incentives would also be introduced to encourage export of hand-made coir products, he added.

UNI