'Kerala bogged down by outdated policies,unchanging mindset'

Kochi: Lamenting that Kerala is "bogged down by outdated policies and an unchanging mindset", Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala Saturday said huge investment was required in infrastructure development to bring economic prosperity in the state.

The Home Minister was speaking after giving away the Best CSR Practice Award for Companies and NGOs at Kerala's first Corporate Social Responsibility conclave--SAMATVA-2015-- organised by the Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) here.

Chennithala said while other states are surging ahead, Kerala was lagging behind as far as economic development was concerned.

"Kerala is bogged down by outdated policies and an unchanging mindset...We need huge investments in the infrastructure development," the minister said.

He said the Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry being the oldest Chamber of Commerce in the country should work towards bringing in more investments to the state, especially at a time when NRI contributions to the state have come down.

"The gap between the rich and the poor is widening and this needs to be addressed on a priority basis," he said.

The Minister was of the view that for the CSR to really take off in Kerala, "our Companies need to do well, which unfortunately is not the case at the moment."

Earlier, SAMATVA Conclave was inaugurated by Hibi Eden, MLA.

The Companies which won the Best CSR Practices Award include Cochin Shipyard Ltd (PSU Category), BSES Kerala Power Ltd (Private Segment) and Raksha Society for Care of Children With Special Needs (NGO).

Participants at the conclave were of the view that the Cochin Chamber needs to step in to authenticate and certify genuine CSR projects.

The conclave was informed that the Chamber would be taking this initiative shortly under a programme called "SAMATVA CARE".

Chennithala also gave away prizes to Business Schools, school students and Special Children who had won in various competitions that were held in connection with SAMATVA 2015.