Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Socially Responsible Industries mooted

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Close on the heels of the Responsible Tourism initiative being promoted by the State government, a similar concept that is doing the rounds is Socially Responsible Industries (SRIs).

SRIs have been mooted with a view to strengthening the small and medium enterprises sector and reviving the traditional industries such as coir, cashew, handloom and tiles.

The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), which is the monitoring agency of State Financing Corporations, has proposed that employment-oriented and non-polluting SRIs be promoted in Kerala. This could become a winning proposition in the State if nurtured in a suitable manner, given that the State hardly has any land to set up big industries.

SIDBI southern region chief general manager K.M. Nair told The Hindu here on Friday that the industrial milieu of the State is just right for developing SRIs. The pattern has already been accepted by the Tamil Nadu government and could be ideally emulated in Kerala too.

With the land prices shooting to new high, the Tamil Nadu government is taking the lead to embrace the concept of small and medium enterprises operating out of flats. A single-window system has also been put in place to issue required clearances to potential investors and financial assistance is given at three per cent interest.

Such industries are labour intensive, but do not need heavy machinery or other equipment. All facilities could be arranged in an apartment spanning 2,000 sq. ft. The vertical growth of the metro is being capitalised for catalysing the industrial growth. The same model can be introduced in Kerala and traditional industries such as handloom, khadi, coir and cashew could be located in such complexes. It will also trigger local development and employment too.

According to Mr. Nair, SFCs have been told to assess the environmental impact of industries along with the financial stability and viability of the project proposals.

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