Include rubber based industries in Make in India plan: Kerala to Narendra Modi

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 15: Kerala government todaysaid it would ask Prime Minister Narendra Modi to include rubber based industries in the 'Make in India' programme announced by the Centre in the backdrop of the crisis faced by rubber growers due to fall in price of natural rubber.

"We will take up the issue of rubber along with other pending matters with the Prime Minister during the scheduled meeting in New Delhi tomorrow," Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, leading a delegation of state ministers to the national capital, told reporters here.

He said Modi would also be invited for the opening ceremony of the 35th National Games scheduled to be held in the state from January 31.

"President Pranab Mukerjee will be invited for the closing function as per tradition," he said.

On issues related to the state, Chandy said industries,especially rubber related, should be included in the PM's Make in India programme and added that demand for starting work of Railway Coach Factory at Palakkad would be taken up.

Another important matter, he said, was the need to issue the final notification in the Kasturirangan report on Western Ghats conservation. In view of the National Green Tribunal accepting Kerala's stand on the issue, 'we will ask the Centre to issue the final notification as quickly as possible".

Asked what Modi's reaction would be when the state government approaches him seeking support for its projects after taking action against Shashi Tharoor for endorsing his Swatch Bharat mission,Chandy 'these are two different things'.

The state would take up with Centre issues related to Coastal Regulation Zone norms, most of which had caused immense difficulties to people living in the coastal areas in the state, he said.

Chandy said he had met Modi only once after he assumed office as Prime Minister, that too as a courtesy call.

"This time I will be taking up issues of state with the Prime Minister and other Union Ministers', he said.

PTI