Date:25/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/25/stories/2008092556650400.htm

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Decision on SEZ soon, says VS

Special Correspondent

Near-consensus in Cabinet on permitting SEZs

Says evictees for Vizhinjam project will be rehabilitated
Meet today to discuss question of restructuring KSEB

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister V. S. Achuthanandan said here on Wednesday that the Cabinet has arrived at a near-consensus on permitting Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in the State. A final decision will be taken at the next Cabinet meeting.

Talking to reporters after Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting, the Chief Minister said the next Cabinet meet, to be held before the end of this month, would decide whether an Ordinance should be issued to regulate the zones.

Mr. Achuthanandan denied that there was any issue with the Communist Party of India (CPI) over sanctioning of the zone. A general understanding had been reached and a decision would be announced this month itself, he said.

Replying to questions, the Chief Minister said the agitation over the eviction of people for the Vizhinjam International Transhipment Terminal would be settled amicably. Those who have to be evicted would be rehabilitated in nearby places. The project would proceed only after rehabilitation of the evictees, he said.

He recalled that the issues over rehabilitation of those evicted for the Vallarpadam Transhipment Project had been settled amicably in spite of efforts by some people to exploit the situation.

Mr. Achuthanandan said the restructuring of the State Electricity Board would be decided on the basis of consensus at the meetings with political parties and trade unions called by the government on Thursday.

He maintained that the privatisation of the Board would bring heavy burden on the people. The power charges would go up. He recalled that power from the Enron project in Maharashtra cost Rs.8 a unit against Rs.3 a unit promised at the beginning. Justifying the nuclear deal, the UPA government had contended that purchase of the nuclear reactors would solve the power shortage. However, the plants would cost Rs. 2,80,000 crore and the power generated in them would be seven times costlier than those generated in thermal power plants.

He said Saji John and Sabu Sebastian, brothers of Jomit John and James Sebastian who were killed in the accident at the Panniar Power plant, would be given jobs in the State Electricity Board under the dying in harness scheme.