Kochi, Jul 22 (PTI) Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Wednesday said the state expects investments worth around Rs 10,000 crore in the first phase of various maritime sector projects being planned under its ‘Mission Samudra’ initiative, even as he rejected media reports suggesting that he had denied holding talks with the Tata Group.
Responding to the controversy over his recent remarks on the Tata Group’s proposed shipbuilding venture in Kerala, Satheesan said representatives of the company had met him and held discussions on issues related to their proposed investments in the state.
Addressing a press conference here, he said the media reported that he had not spoken to the Tata Group, but the photographs of the meeting surfaced later, the CM told a press conference here.
Satheesan said some issues related to the company’s proposed vessel-building project, involving Malabar Cements and Cochin Port, had remained pending.
“The government has resolved those issues, and the company representatives responded positively. We have urged the Tata Group to bring more investments to Kerala,” he said.
He also said the government had resolved within 24 hours an inter-agency dispute in the state Industries Department related to setting up a container fire station.
Satheesan said the government has initiated steps to establish an Oceanarium in Kochi and an International Maritime Museum as part of its efforts to strengthen the state’s maritime sector.
Several investment proposals related to the port sector are also under examination, with their economic models being evaluated, he said.
“In the first phase itself, we expect investments of around Rs 10,000 crore under these initiatives,” the chief minister said.
Recently, Satheesan had announced that the Tata Group would establish its first shipbuilding venture in Kerala and that ship repair and maintenance facilities would also come up in the state.
A spokesperson of the conglomerate had reportedly clarified that no such project was under consideration.
It triggered a political row, following which the state government clarified that the chief minister’s remarks reflected Kerala’s long-term maritime development vision under ‘Mission Samudra’ and were not meant to suggest that a fresh investment proposal with the Tata Group had already been finalised.
State Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty had also clarified that he and the chief minister held discussions with Tata Group representatives during the recent Assembly session regarding the company’s proposed shipbuilding project in Kerala and had released photographs of the meeting.
When reporters asked about a ministerial sub-committee report to be submitted to the government on the implementation of the Centre’s PM SHRI scheme in the state, he said it is yet to be submitted and would take a decision when it is submitted. PTI LGK ADB
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.