Finally some positive moves

...still one has to keep fingers crossed

8 SEZs and some mega projects like Sobha Hitech
City may be cleared soon.

Kerala likely to get eight new SEZs

Thiruvananthapuram, May 27 : The Kerala government is planning to forward eight applications for the establishment of Special Economic Zones (SEZ) to the centre, an official said here Tuesday.

The state already has one SEZ at Kochi, and 11 approved and two approved in principle zones.

Speaking to reporters here, State Industries Minister Elamram Kareem denied reports that there had been a difference of opinion between Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan and himself over the delay in clearing 17 pending applications.

"Of the pending applications, we found that only eight have acquired the land and the rest are in the process of buying land. So we have more or less decided that we will forward the applications of the eight who have land to the centre," said Kareem.

"The SEZs whose applications are likely to be forwarded include those for IT, bio-technology and electronics," he added.

In the past month, opposition leader Oommen Chandy had lashed out at the government for holding back the applications for SEZs. Full story

LDF Govt wooing private investments in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): CPI-M led LDF government in Kerala is in the process of wooing private investments to the tune of Rs.10,000 crore and also plans a mega joint venture project with Russian based company Roseboron to set up a 10,000 tonne capacity titanium sponge unit, State Industries Minister Elamram Kareem said on Tuesday.

As part of encouraging private investments, government had already signed a MOU with Shoba Groups to set up Shoba Hightech City at Kochi with an investment of Rs.5000 crores, the Minister told a press conference held in connection with the second anniversary of LDF rule.

The single window clearance committee headed by Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan would meet soon to consider the projects of Shoba group, he said. Full story