Chandy trashes ‘website projects’

It was the turn of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Wednesday, after Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty, to soothe the rising tempers  on ‘Emerging Kerala 2012.’

Chandy clarified that all projects that came up were published on the website without any kind of screening. The Chief Secretary would hold a meeting with the officials concerned and review the projects.

“The proposals would be screened and replaced if  found impractical. An Investment Clearance Board will be formed and  only those projects cleared by the board will be promoted,” Chandy told a post-cabinet media briefing.

“No MoU will  be signed on any project during the course of  the event,” he added. Environment Impact Assessment studies would be undertaken with regard to all the projects.  Follow-up action on these projects would also be listed on the website, he said. The objective of presenting the proposals of   the projects  on the website was to let  people know about them as such. “But this was not taken in the right spirit. Under the  circumstances, the Chief Secretary has been directed to hold  a meeting and review all proposals,” he said.

Chandy underscored  that land would be given for lease only for those projects that bring in more job opportunities. It is not an investor meet alone. It is a platform to exchange thoughts and ideas. It is an attempt to change the wrong notion that Kerala is not an investor-friendly state, he said.