INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT(i) General. The overall approach towards the development and upgradation of infrastructure will be to enable optimum utilization of the State’s opportunities and resources with the involvement of the private sector. (ii) Industrial Development Zones. Industrial Development Zones (IDZ) with conducive environment and incentives with adequate legal safeguards will be established in the following locations: Thiruvananthapuram Kochi Kanjikode (Palakkad) Kozhikode Besides these, an Industrial Corridor will be developed between Eloor in Ernakulam and Kochi airport as a Wireless SEZ. All the benefits enjoyed by the Units within the Special Economic Zone, Kochi and other parks established by the State Government which are relevant will be extended to the entrepreneurs investing in the IDZ and Corridor. Besides, engagement of workers on contract basis in these Zones / Corridor will be enabled based on a code of conduct to be mutually agreed to between the entrepreneurs and their employees. Units in these Zones will be declared as public utility service as per the Industrial Disputes Act. The Zone authorities would have the exclusive license from KSEB for the retail distribution of power within the zone. Extensive areas will be brought under these Zones/ Industrial Corridor for which land acquisition will be initiated immediately by KINFRA. These Zones shall be developed with the active participation of the private sector with the involvement of KINFRA and KSIDC on the model of the Positra Special Economic Zone in Gujarat. The Government shall consider permitting KSIDC/KINFRA in individual cases to convert the cost of land/built up modules as equity in the units in the IDZ / the Industrial Corridor. (iii) Power. The power industry being the life line for all economic development, special endeavour will be made by the Power Department to ensure techno-economic viability of Kerala State Electricity Board by revamping and such other management interventions. A State Electricity Regulatory Commission will be constituted. Special significance will be accorded for LNG based generation and the utilization of non-conventional sources of power. Industrial zone, park and estate authorities will be empowered by the Kerala State Electricity Board to distribute power as licensees to units set up within their respective areas. (Iv) Water. Steps have been initiated by the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) and Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation LTD (KSIDC) for the implementation of industrial water supply schemes including World Bank aided projects.
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