CM reiterates stand against SIR policy during Kuwait visit

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Reaffirming the governments stand against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) policy, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who is on a visit to Gulf countries, held discussions with representatives of Malayali organisations and leading figures from the social and cultural spheres in Kuwait on Thursday. The meeting held at the Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel focused on key issues affecting the Malayali expatriate community. Participants called on the state government to oppose the implementation of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) policy in Kerala and to support safe and transparent investment avenues for expatriates through small-scale schemes such as a proposed Micro Invest Plan, which would allow NRKs to invest directly in states development projects and also the need to ensure approval for foreign airlines to operate from Kannur Airport. The participants also demanded to reverse the reduction in Air India Express services. Responding to the concerns, the chief minister assured that the government would take all possible steps to address the issues raised. He said both the ruling and opposition parties in Kerala share the view that the SIR policy should not be implemented in the state. On the issue of Air India Express, the chief minister said that although initial discussions with the airline had secured assurances to restore services and resume bookings, the airline later reversed its stance, prompting the government to renew its efforts to resolve the matter. Chief secretary A Jayathilak accompanied the chief minister at the meeting. Malayalam Mission Kuwait Chapter secretary J Saji welcomed the participants, which included representatives from various Malayali associations and community leaders.