CPI(M) leader bats for ease of doing business in Kerala

It is time Kerala gets rid of the ‘choker’ tag that holds back investors from setting up new industry/enterprise in the state, says Pinarayi Vijayan, senior CPI(M) leader and Politburo member.

Speaking to BusinessLine at a pit stop during his pre-poll Nava Kerala Yatra, Vijayan said that if voted to power, the Left Democratic Front would spare no efforts to improve the ease of doing business in the state.

LEGACY ISSUE

It is a legacy issue but it is unfortunate that anyone who comes in with the intention of setting up a business is viewed with certain amount of circumspection.

“There’s a tinge of negativity towards them. This has led many of them to troop out and instead build a base in neighbouring states.

“This needs to change. A new paradigm should be evolved wherein an investor is welcomed with open arms,” Vijayan said.

The state should take up on itself the task of entertaining the new investor in a manner that befits his/her status and true intent.

All possible help that can be granted within the limits of the law should be offered straightaway.

BRAND AMBASSADORS

“Clearances such as those relating to electricity and pollution control should be expedited. These should rather become the bother of the state, not the investor’s.”

Answering a specific question, Vijayan said that prevailing industrial/labour relations are satisfactory.

No existing businessman/industrialist has aired any major concern in this regard. In fact, Vijayan proposed that some of them be made brand ambassadors of the state.

“They can refer compatriots/friends to invest here. In this manner, they should be allowed to have a say in the destiny of the state, which can chip in with its own efforts.”

There is no future for the state without a vibrant business/entrepreneurial class. Kerala has all attributes to become a hub of non-polluting industries.

GOOD PACKAGE

Referring to the land acquisition blues, he said that the government must come up with practical solutions to address the issue of land acquisition. It must constantly engage the affected people.

“We must strictly ensure that no more than what is required by a project gets acquired, and nothing beyond.

“We need a well-rounded package to address the concerns of those giving it up, including compensation at market price and rehabilitation.”

Vijayan lambasted the ruling Congress-led UDF for the inordinate delay in the Kochi-Mangaluru Gail pipeline project.

Vested interests identified with some of the UDF partners had stalled the project. But they are blaming it on those directly affected by it, which is not always the case.

If the government were only half as interested as it claims it is in the matter, a solution would have been found a long time ago, Vijayan said.

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