Government will take all steps to retain Kitex in Kerala: Babu

Excise Minister K Babu said that all steps will be taken to retain Kitex garments in the state. He was speaking to reporters after holding talks with the managing director of the company Sabu M Jacob, action council members and panchayat officials at the district Collectorate here on Friday. He added that the issue will be solved amicably. 

Ernakulam District Collector P I Sheik Pareeth was entrusted to submit a report after visiting the factory premises and holding talks with all parties involved in the issue in two months.

However, Kitex MD Sabu told ‘Express’ that unless concrete steps are taken by the government to solve the issue, the company will not invest further in the state.

“It is obvious that the government machinery itself is attacking industries with the help of local politicians and other authorities. The meeting with the minister was only a formal one in the wake of media reports. The company needs a concrete guarantee from the government to ensure safety and security of its operations,” he said.

The minister said that the District Collector would visit the company and its adjoining areas to learn about the issues. The grievances of the people would be redressed. After the Collector submits a report, discussions would be held within two weeks, the minister further said. V P Sajeendran MLA, K P Philip, Ernakulam Rural SP, Kizhakambalam panchayat president Joly Baby, vice-president Elias Karipra, action council chairman V M George, convener Abdul Rahman, Perumbavoor DySP K Harikrishnan and Kunnathunadu tahasildar N Viswambharan were present at the meeting.

During the last week of September the Kitex MD had said that the `262 crore expansion plan of the company would be implemented either in Colombo or China.

The proposed apparel park would have provided employment to nearly 4,000 workers and increased the turnover of the company to Rs 1,500 crore by 2015. He later revealed that the company was approached by the Gujarat government to start its unit there.

Sabu alleged that the local panchayat, ruled by the UDF, has not been renewing the licence of the company.

“The company employees are attacked, vehicles damaged and cases were being filed against us but no action was taken by the authorities,” Sabu said.