Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday sent out a strong message to political parties and trade unions indicating that the government would not tolerate disruptive methods of agitation against fledgling business ventures in the State.
Replying to the notice for an adjournment motion moved by the Opposition in the Assembly, he said hoisting political flags to intimidate entrepreneurs and the practice of ‘nokkukooli’ (notional wages) were sullying the name of the State and undermining efforts to improve the ease of doing business.
Opposition walkout
The Opposition members staged a walkout, accusing the government of trying to hush up the suicide of a Gulf returnee, Sugathan, following AIYF workers’ protest against his efforts to set up a workshop at Punalur.
The Chief Minister said three AIYF activists had been arrested on the charge of abetting Sugathan’s suicide and that the police investigation was on the right track.
“There have been sporadic incidents of trade unions putting up flags and disrupting work at new ventures to demand jobs. Unions represent workers, they are not labour suppliers. Similarly, demanding ‘nokkukooli’ for works that can be done only by machines is also illegal, yet exists in some parts of the State. These do not augur well for the State,” Mr. Vijayan said.
He told the House that the government would convene a meeting of trade unions soon to discuss the issues.
Earlier, moving the notice, Congress MLA Adoor Prakash alleged that AIYF workers had hoisted flags at the site for Sugathan’s workshop claiming that the land was illegally reclaimed. “They demanded ₹2 lakh to withdraw the agitation,” he said.
Charge against CPI
Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala accused the CPI of meddling in the investigation to protect its youth leaders. Forest Minister K. Raju and Agriculture Minister V.S. Sunil Kumar vehemently denied the charges.
Mr. Chennithala dared the CPI to oust the accused. He urged the government to constitute a special investigation team to expose those behind Sugathan’s suicide.
