CPI(M) State secretary M.V. Govindan on Saturday said that the decision to allow ethanol manufacturing in Elapully was taken by the State government and it would not be going back on the proposal.
“We are going ahead with the project and if anyone part of the Left front has a problem at any stage, we are not averse to holding discussions and ironing out issues,” he told the media here. Mr. Govindan said bureaucratic objection to conversation of a small parcel of land part of the project couldn’t be construed as objection on the part of the CPI, which governs Revenue department.
“The spirit Kerala needs should be manufactured within the State. If someone else comes forward to set up a facility, they are also welcome. We lose some ₹100 crore in transporting spirit into the State and were anticipating objections to manufacture of spirit within the State from the spirit lobby,” he said.
To a question, Mr. Govindan said KIIFB had bankrolled projects worth some ₹90,000 crore in the State and it was only natural that the government would think of various ways to pay off the debt. “The idea of collecting tolls on KIIFB-funded roads has not been discussed within the Left front. It will be done soon, and a collective decision will be taken,” he said, adding that the Left as a matter of principle did not agree with toll collection on roads.
Earlier, Mr. Govindan slammed the Union budget for ignoring Kerala and praised the State budget for targeting growth. He accused the Congress legislators of seeking KIIFB projects in their constituencies and criticising it later. Mr. Govindan also chose to blame the Congress for not aligning with the AAP which he said caused the BJP to win the Delhi assembly elections.
Published – February 08, 2025 08:05 pm IST