Kerala's Mafias make the state a death bed of industries
Kerala is branded as an investor hostile destination and trade union militancy is blamed for the flight of investors from the state, which is extolled for its achievements on the human development front. Though it's true that Kerala has become a killing field for industries, trade unions are not the villains. The spread of mafia culture in the state and the countless mafias that control the state are responsible for the hurdles faced by investors.
Let's examine a few instances that occurred in the recent past, when industrialists faced challenges and investors were forced to flee from the state, or abandon their plans. Kitex Industries which is one of the biggest employers in the state abandoned their expansion plans in the state and began operations in Telengana, where they were given a red carpet welcome. It's was the acrimonious attitude shown by local CPM leaders including the MLA Sreenijan that raised hurdles to their development. There was no labour problem. Workers strike wasn't the reason
A few years ago Sajan, a NRI investor who made initial investments to start a convention centre at an estimated cost of over Rs 30 crore committed suicide because the local body authorities refused to give clearance and registration for the proposed venture raising silly reasons. Here also no trade union was behind the sabotage. It was a local mafia headed by CPM leaders and featuring bureaucrats and other officials who created trouble. All the subsequent incidents reported involved local mafia who wanted huge bribes. Listen to my video
