Handover Keltec to Union Defence Ministry: CM

Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 21: Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan said the government had decided to handover the Kerala Hi-Tech Industries (Keltec), a state-owned Public Sector Undertaking, to the Union Defence Ministry.

Briefing Cabinet decision to reporters here yesterday, he said a decision in this regard was taken at the meeting.

Union Minister for Defence A K Antony had held second round of discussions with the state government in this regard, earlier in the day, to enter into an agreement with the Keltec.

Mr Achuthanadan said the Cabinet also decided to send a joint delegation of Revenue, Law and Devaswom Ministers to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and find a solution to the Supreme Court order banning fireworks during festivals.

Since such a ban would hamper the spirit of religious festivals, particularly the fire work displays in temple festivals, the delegation would appraise the Prime Minister about the inconvenience caused to the festival lovers, he added.

The apex court bench headed by Justice Lahoti had banned noises between 2200 hrs and 0600 hrs.

UNI