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Cola ban "an extreme act," says Assocham president

Special Correspondent

KOCHI: The decision of the Kerala Government to ban Coca-Cola and Pepsi might send the wrong signals to the international community and "it is an extreme act," said Anil K. Agarwal, president of Assocham.

Instead of banning the products, the Government should have given the companies equal opportunity to clarify their position and amend the situation, he said.

Mr. Agarwal, who was here in connection with the 149th AGM of the Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said at a press meet that Assocham would initiate steps to set new standards in food safety, as the existing ISI and BIS standards were outdated.

"We have to set the standards as per our living conditions," he said. A sector-wise approach was needed for upgrading of quality standards to fulfil the vision of making India a manufacturing hub, he added.

Things improving

He said the State Government should also take sincere efforts to attract FDI for the growth of the State. He said things were improving in the State but not at a fast pace.

"What is needed is getting consolidated FDIs. For this, the Government should make the FDI policy business-friendly," he added.

Assocham was of the view that Kerala lacked infrastructure that was vital for manufacturing. Most important were power, communication and transportation.

Short supply of reliable and cost-competitive power and blackouts would disrupt manufacturing and especially discourage investments in industries such as rubber, plantation and the like. He said the current labour laws in Kerala discouraged productivity and employment opportunities.

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