The Hindu Business Line : TRL promoters seek change in GO

Prospective promoters of Travancore Rayons Ltd (TRL) at nearby Perumbavoor have urged the State Government to modify certain conditions in its order allowing the company to revive the unit.

The company management in a letter to the Industries Minister has requested him to amend item No. 3 of the Government Order (GO) dated Aug 13, 2007 as “Dues to the banks/financial institutions should be settled by the promoter as per the arrived understanding during the meeting on Feb 28, 2007 convened by the Minister of Industries at Thiruvananthapuram. The government may extend necessary assistance and participation in further discussions with the banks and financial institutions facilitating the settlement as arrived at during the above referred meeting.” The promoters have made it clear that they will start only with the production of “Cellophane” using the existing machinery. However, they are planning to promote various green field industrial projects in the factory premises.

The promoters propose to set up industrial ventures with the associated groups also. No prior permission from the government is envisaged for embarking on industrial projects to be set up; “hence the clause making ‘prior permission’ may kindly be altered accordingly,” the promoters’ letter said.

However, permission of statutory nature for any industrial ventures will be complied with. The land rendered on lease will not be used for any purpose other than industrial and allied activities, they said.

The promoters have also expressed inability to part with five acres of land for setting up a 220 KV substation for KSEB.

Besides, they have urged the government to accord necessary sanctions and assistance for setting up hydel power plants to get a net perennial yield of 12 MW per hour of power at designated sites, as indicated in their letter dated March 16, 2007. They have also sought permission for use of water required on the factory premises from the Periyar river as was the practice earlier.

The promoters also have sought permission to clear the bushes and trees which might hinder the construction activity on the premises. “Essentially the sale proceeds whatever comes out during the process of clearing the trees and bushes will be remitted to the government department suggested by the government”. But, they said, the promoters should have absolute freedom to do this as per their design requirements of the new buildings to come up there.

Green signal

Meanwhile, a high-level meeting convened by the Chief Minister on Friday attended by the Opposition leader, the Industries Minister, the UDF Convenor and MLAs and senior officials has given the go-ahead to the promoters but with certain conditions.

The conditions are that the TRL land would be used only for industrial purpose and any non-industrial use would not be allowed and in case of violation of this condition the land will be taken back. This condition is being included in the final agreement.

Besides, the promoters will not have any right on trees. If the trees are felled for company’s expansion of the manufacturing facilities, the timber should be auctioned as per the existing laws and the proceeds paid to the government.

The promoters could set up employment generating establishments but it should be without damaging the environment. In case of setting up of new units, the government should be informed in advance.

The meeting also inferred that the government and the promoters should enter into an agreement accordingly and inform the Kerala High Court and the BIFR of the decision as the latter had directed the winding up of the unit while the HC had stayed it on the intervention of the State Government.

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