Kochi, Jan 18: Asserting that government was committed to accelerating growth, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee today asked states like Kerala not to remain trapped in outdated dogmas and sterile ideological debates on issues like labour reforms. "While workers interest should certainly be protected, is it in workers` or the states` interest to discourage investors through frequent strikes, gheraos and attimari should`nt we unload this historical burden from our heads and build a new Kerala,?" he asked inaugrating the global investors meet here.
"It is not for outsiders to answer this question for you, you have to answer it yourself", he said adding he was not the only one having these concerns, many renowned economists and intellectuals from Kerala ask these very questions as the impression was that the state did not offer business friendly climate. Stressing that economic reforms in India was not a short term expediency, Vajpayee said it was the outcome of a well considered long term strategy to tap the country`s immense resources and talents to realise the goal of better life for all citizens.
"Let there be no doubt that our objectives continue to be the removal of poverty, employment generation, environmental protection and social and economic justice," he said. To achieve these objectives, the country must accelerate economic growth. The key to this is enhancing competitiveness of its industries and businesses to global standards by providing a conducive investor climate, he said.

The GIM, the first such meet organised by the Kerala government, is showcasing 80 projects worth Rs 31,000 crore.

Bureau Report