Kochi,
Kerala
Kitex Garments, the biggest private sector
employer in Kerala, has announced its withdrawal from a Rs 35 billion
investment project due to a witch hunt by the government. Kitex Group, the
world’s second-largest manufacturer of kids’ apparel, had signed a memorandum
of understanding with the Kerala government at the ‘Ascend Global Investors
Meet’ in Kochi early this year. But the group seems to be withdrawing from the
huge project for which this MOU was signed. The main plan was to establish industrial
parks at Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, and Palakkad and also to open an apparel
park in Kochi.
According to
Sabu M Jacob, Chairman, Kitex group, the group had already acquired 30
acres land for the apparel park at Kizhakkambalam in Kochi. He believed that
this project would have given employment to 20,000 people but due to the
continuous harassment by the Kerala government, the group has decided to scrap
the project. According to him, in past one month, 11 teams of officers have
raided the company.
He also said
that another team from the pollution control board was supposed to visit on
Tuesday. The team comprises 40 to 50 officials who search every nook and corner
of the company. They even grill the employees and don’t follow Covid protocols
as well. He showed his anger with the government and appreciated the government
of neighbouring states.
Source – The Indian Express
Also Read:
https://indiantextilejournal.com/latest-textile-industry-news/kitex-to-set-up-new-production-unit