Industries promotion without compromising ideologies:Minister

The CPI(M)-led LDF government would not deviate from party ideologies while wooing investors and taking steps to strengthen industrial sector in Kerala, Industries Minister E P Jayarajan said today.
The government would hold a study by experts to understand the timely changes happening in the sector, which is facing stiff challenges, and identify the new potential areas, he said.
The minister also said only 10 out of 41 public sector undertakings in the state were making profits now and majority of the traditional industries, including textiles, handicrafts and handloom sectors were facing crisis.
"Our policy is to strengthen the industrial sector standing within our basic ideologies. Our objective is ensuring industrial growth, protecting nature and environment," he told a meet-the-press programme here.

Seeking to promote entrepreneurship and wooing investors, the government would launch a speedy system for project clearance with the coordination of various departments, he said.
Stating that the rubber industry was facing crisis and Kerala had been importing rubber products on a large scale, the minister said the government was ready to support rubber-based industries if entrepreneurs come up with good proposals.
The minister also said only public sector institutions would be allowed in the mining sector.