Thiruvananthapuram, July 24: Stung by the media highlighting of a series of recent incidents, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday reminded mediapersons here that they have a huge role to play in taking the state forward, especially in the sphere of development.
Vijayan was reacting to media reports of Japanese multinational Nissan leaving the state, on issues at the Kerala Public Service Commission ( PSC) and on the recent incidents related to a stabbing of a Student Federation of India (SFI) member by office bearers of the ruling CPI-M affiliated SFI at the local University College.
"The media should not forget that they have a huge role to play in taking forward the state. In the light of recent happenings, the media should introspect if they are doing the right role, as the future of Kerala should not be affected," said Vijayan told reporters here soon after chairing the weekly cabinet meeting.
Elaborating on the issues being projected by the media, Vijayan described as "most unfortunate" the media reports saying that the Nissan Digital global hub, which opened last year and presently employs 600 people, is winding up its Kerala operations.
"The fact of the matter in this is..Nissan has raised issues with us and we have appointed a special official to look into it. One by one we have been attending to their requests and have also resolved it," Vijayan said.
"While in most cases, the state government has to act, in certain issues, the Centre also has to chip in. We have cleared each of their requests, especially related to issues of their new campus."
According to the Chief Minister, "another issue that they have raised is national and international air connectivity. We have raised this with the Civil Aviation department and they have said they will be calling a meeting very soon of all airlines to discuss this."
With regard to the stabbing incident at the University College that took place (on July 12, he said the law has started taking its course and none will be spared.
"This famed college has a huge tradition and history and nothing will be left unattended against anyone who tries to create confusion. None need to have any doubt on it," said Vijayan.
On the smear campaign against the PSC that things are not dealt fairly at the state Public Service Commission (PSC), Vijayan dismissed the allegations as absolutely baseless.
"There seems a section which is trying to tarnish the image of the PSC. Incidentally, this is a constitutionally set up body which is doing yeomen service in recruiting people from the peon to the level of deputy secretary," he said.
"They make the selection to 1,742 categories. A needless campaign is now on meant to just tarnish its image. There are no issues to be probed, so where is the need for a probe?" he asked.
While Vijayan has downplayed the recent events in the University College and PSC, the Congress-led UDF opposition is staging a day-long protest on Thursday over the incidents in front of the state secretariat and the opposition BJP-led NDA is holding their protest demonstrations on Friday.
Both the opposition political fronts are demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and judicial probe into the issues at the University College and the PSC.
