Date:03/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/10/03/stories/2008100351261300.htm

Back ‘Time to frame well-knit labour policy’

Our Bureau

Kochi, Oct. 2 The State Minister for Forest and Housing, Mr Binoy Viswam, has stated that labour is now conscious of the need to increase productivity as it considers itself an integral part of development.

The number of man days lost in Kerala due to labour strike was low when compared to other States, he claimed. However, lightning strikes and the practice of resorting to hartals for all and sundry reasons should be avoided. This issue would be taken up for an open discussion, he said, while addressing the 111th annual session of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry here.

Earlier, addressing the session, the outgoing president of the Chamber, Mr R Mohandas, reiterated the demand for a well-knit labour policy for the overall benefit of the industrial sector. This would help in industrial growth and employment generation, he said.

Despite concerted efforts over a period of time, the Government could not succeed in making Kerala an investor-friendly State. In the matter of investments, during the first six months of the calendar year, Maharashtra tops the list followed by Andhra Pradesh. Kerala’s position is not very encouraging. Given the situation, it was high time for a radical change in the approach towards the needs of industry and trade, he added.

Power cut impact

According to Mr Mohandas, the 25 per cent power cut imposed on the high-tension and extra high-tension consumers has already upset the working of industrial units. Certain types of industries such as seafood, which need uninterrupted and adequate power supply to avoid quality deterioration, are the worse hit.

This measure has rendered once profit-making industrial units unviable. To avert such situations in the future, a plan for the next 50 years should be envisaged right now, he said.

The rate of Stamp Duty in Kerala is on the higher side compared to other States. It would be in the best interest of all concerned if the Government speeded up issuing the required notification in this regard, he added.

He also demanded setting up a mini civil station in Mattancherry, which was once the commercial hub of Kerala and now losing its importance as a traditional business centre.