The Hindu : Front Page : `Swadeshi Movement' for industries

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Wednesday, Sep 13, 2006
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`Swadeshi Movement' for industries

Special Correspondent

To revive fortunes of ailing local industries by sponsoring demand for their products

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State Government is planning a new-version of `Swadeshi Movement' to revive the fortunes of ailing local industries by sponsoring demand for their products.

The strategy is to source from the ailing units, to the extent possible, the material requirements of Government departments and public sector institutions such as the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB).

Industries Minister Elamaram Karim and Electricity Minister A. K. Balan jointly called a meeting of top officials to examine how departments and public sector institutions could help one another. The KSEB, which annually purchases materials worth more than Rs.100 crore, will henceforth give preferential treatment to State units such as Steel Industrials Kerala Limited (SILK), Traco Cable Company Limited, United Electrical Industries Limited, Transformers and Electricals Kerala Limited and Kerala Electrical and Allied Engineering Company Limited.

At a press conference after the official discussion, the Ministers said the KSEB would place its orders with these companies on the basis of clear agreements specifying delivery schedule, quality of material and price.

Public sector orders

Formerly, State public sector units used to enjoy a 10 per cent price preference in material supply to Government departments and Government-controlled institutions. This system, which was discontinued some time back, will be restored, Mr. Karim said.

He said the Health Department would similarly place orders for as much medicines as possible with Kerala State Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Limited, another ailing State public sector unit. The Education Department also was examining whether the sick handloom industry could be given a prop by making Government-aided schools to promote handloom cloth as school uniform.

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