A resident of the United Kingdom (UK), who spent Rs 25 crore to set up a state-of-the-art sports complex in his home town Kottayam in Kerala, began a protest before the local village council on Tuesday, November 7, alleging "indifferent treatment" and delay in providing the necessary permits to open the complex. Shajimon George, who has been settled in the UK for the past two decades, out of love for his home town, decided to set up a modern sports complex in the town.
The complex called Beeza Club House is yet to be opened for public as the Manjoor Village council has not given the building number. After waiting for long and despite producing certificates, George said that he was fed up with the Council who is playing "spoilsport". "The last registered letter from the Council to me said I have to produce 36 more certificates. Now after the media taking it up, the Council says I need to give only six more certificates. I decided to start this protest. They have taken a vindictive approach as when I produce certificates, they then tell me to get more certificates," said an angry George while on his protest. "Now I will wait for the intervention of either the court or from the state government," he added.
But Komalavali Ravindran, president of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) led Council said that they have never shown any indifference as the officials say they will give the sanction as and when George brings the required certificates. "We are only happy to see this complex in our place and we have nothing against George at all. As rules have to be followed, when he will come with the desired six more certificates, the building number will be given," said the council president.
Sources said that George is facing "indifference" from the officials, as he had complained against an official who was seeking bribe to the Vigilance and Anti Corruption Bureau officials, who arrested the accused.
Sabu Jacob, one of Kerala's premier industrialists, who faced similar treatment from government officials in Kochi, left Kerala and set up his unit in Telangana. He told media that ‘the biggest mistake’ George made was to invest in Kerala. "With such a fat investment, he could have done it in some other country or even in some other state in our country. All the big talks about industry friendly atmosphere in the state is humbug. Authorities in Kerala only want to harass investors and collect their money," said Jacob.
Sunu George, the opposition Congress member in the Manjoor Council said what's happening in their Council is deplorable as they themselves have raised this issue a few times, but the one ruling the Council has taken a negative stand on this business venture.