E P Jayarajan promises peace for private players

KOCHI: Industries Minister E.P. Jayarajan on Monday said that the industrial policy of the government is to attract industries suitable for state and revive public sector for job generation while ensuring peaceful labour atmosphere in private industries.

Addressing a meet-the-press programme organised by Ernakulam Press Club here, he said the government also has small industries in mind and each company’s issues will be studied and solutions offered. He also said that modernization of industries was also on the agenda of the government using advanced technology.

“This way we can address the issues of pollution and negative impact on the environment,” Jayarajan said. Commenting on the controversy over Mullapperiyar, Jayarajan said that the policy of LDF had all along been that safety of the people of Kerala should be ensured while sufficient water is given to the people of Tamil Nadu.

He said that this stand was not in clash with the resolution of the Kerala Assembly over Mullapperiyar to build a new dam. He said that with the LDF Ministry taking the stand, the relation between the people of Kerala and Tamil Nadu has improved.

He said that there is no discord between the CPI and CPM now and the relations have become stronger only. He said that his stand on the Athirappally power project was that of the LDF. The Minister also said that the bid to revive mining at Chakkittappara has not come to his attention and a decision will be taken after studying the issue. He also said that he was not aware of any move to give a position with Cabinet rank to VS.

Jayarajan said that the liquor policy of the UDF Government had come without any sincerity and it involved bribes also. “The consumption has not declined. Now the onus is on the LDF Government to alleviate its impact. Our policy is that of temperance,” he said. Jayarajan said that IT Ministry has international dimension and hence it was only proper for the Chief Minister to keep it.