As Kitex Moves Away To Telangana, CM Vijayan Terms Whole Issue As Attempt To Tarnish Kerala’s Image

After Kitex Garments, which is in the news for a feud with the State's communist government, has decided to enter Telangana with a Rs 1,000 crore investment.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday (10 July) broke his silence on the Kitex controversy.

Vijayan said all that is now being heard in the State about the industrial scenario was often heard here in earlier years, but such a situation no longer exists.

"This issue being raised now against Kerala is nothing but an attempt to shame our state and should be seen as something done with intent," said Vijayan.

"A report from Niti Aayog rates Kerala second in ranking when it comes to the business climate and presence of human resources and fourth in investment climate. Likewise the National Council of Economic Research in its 2018 report ranked Kerala as fourth in the country after taking into consideration factors like land, labour, political stability and business awareness," he said.

Vijayan also added that all have to abide by the rules and laws, and it's only natural for authorities to examine when a complaint arises. His government will not target any business, he said.

According to the plan, Kitex would invest Rs 1,000 crore to set up its factories at the Kakatiya Mega Textile Park in the Warangal district.

This development happened after Kitex Garments, the world's second-largest manufacturer of kids apparel, announced that it would be scrapping plans to open an apparel park in Kochi and other areas due to constant harassment by officials of the CPM-led government.

"Almost every day, officials of the government department descend on the premises of the company and make inquiries as if we committed a big fraud. I am fed up with continuous harassment. The government treats us like bourgeoises, exploitative capitalists and land encroachers. Enough is enough," Kitex chairman Sabu M Jacob said.

"If the situation continues like this, the State will turn into a graveyard of industries. While neighbouring states roll out red carpets for industries, we are hounding them out. No doubt, the existing climate will drive entrepreneurs to suicide," he said, adding that the latest to inspect his premises were officials from the pollution control board.

"Whoever invests in Kerala will lose peace of mind and will be driven to suicide," Sabu Jacob added.

With inputs from IANS