We aim to bring in Rs 10,000 cr in investments, but hurtful people trying to torpedo plans: Pinarayi

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday urged the public to recognise those torpedoing development plans as he claimed the state was aiming to bring in Rs 10,000 crore in investments.

Speaking at the inauguration of MA Yusuff Ali's new Lulu mall in the capital, Vijayan said that some people were determined to thwart all developmental works in the state.

“We are trying to make the state industry-friendly, but there are many with a hurtful mindset in our midst. They adopt new techniques to thwart the plans. They send complaints, from the president to the panchayat,” said Pinarayi Vijayan.

“Their aim is to create hurdles to make the investor reach a settlement with them. This is turning into a bane for the society. We need to identify such people. They claim that they are in for the common good, but they are against the state and its development.”

Vijayan said that his government has created a suitable environment for investors to operate. “We need to be able to set the right environment for the modern employment desired by the coming generation. The state government wishes to have an investment of Rs 10,000 here under normal circumstances.

“To make the state investment-friendly, those willing to invest over Rs 50 crore are given licenses within seven days. For that a law has been passed. Several MSMEs (Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises) are also coming in and the government has allowed them to operate without licenses for three years,” said the chief minister.