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The State Government proposes to sign a memorandum of understanding with State Bank of Travancore (SBT) later this month to facilitate the consortium of banks and financial institutions for funding the proposed Vizhinjam International Seaport and Container Transhipment Terminal project.
Announcing this during Question hour, the Minister for Ports, Mr V. Surendran Pillai, told the State Assembly on Monday that the Government would soon announce a date for signing of the MoU.
SBT has been mandated to syndicate a loan of Rs 2,500 crore in association with other banks and financial institutions such as State Bank of India, South Indian Bank and the Life Insurance Corporation, to finance the first phase of the project.
The rate of interest applicable for the funds being raised would be finalised on signing of the MoU, Mr Pillai informed the House.
As many as 14 domestic and international companies have evinced interest in the project, he added.
The Chief Minister, Mr V.S. Achuthanandan, told the House that the State Government has sought a Central package for victims of the pesticide, endosulfan, in various parts of the State, but no assistance has been forthcoming just as yet.
The State Government proposed to take an all-party delegation to New Delhi to push the case of immediate relief for endosulfan victims, he added.
The Minister for Excise and Labour, Mr P.K. Gurudasan, informed the House that more than 43.53 lakh unemployed youth have registered their names with the employment exchanges in the State.
LIQUOR SALES
Replying to another question, he said that licences have been for 143 bar hotels in the State this year. The apex Kerala State Beverages Corporation has opened 33 outlets during the tenure of this Government.
According to official estimates, returns from liquor sales in the next five years are expected to touch Rs 23,000 crore, the Minister said.
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