Revival Run of PSUs
Ajith Kumar K.
Executive Chairman
Board for Public Sector
Transformation
Public sector transformation has been a key focus area of the state government aiming to enhance efficiency, transparency, human resource development and sustainability. As part of these changes, Government has revamped the Public Sector Restructuring Internal Audit Board (RIAB) to Board for Public sector Transformation (BPT) and also formed a new selection board called Kerala Public Enterprises Selection & Recruitment Board (KPESRB) for all positions in PSUs (except post referred to Kerala PSC) through a transparent selection process. As part of the initiatives of BPT, MoU and Business plan has been implemented in all PSUs for the first time. The performance evaluation system instead of merely evaluating the efforts of a PSU or its management in a given business environment, focussed on reflecting the economic performance in terms of profitability/ return on the invested capital, competitiveness/ usefulness in the given commercial space. Based on these effective planning and review the performance of the PSUs under Industries Department is improving.
Keltron Going Global
Government is making an ambitious plan of developing Kerala as an ‘Electronic Hub’ by effectively utilising the highly educated and technologically skilled manpower. One of the premier industries in Kerala, Kerala State Electronics Development Corporation Ltd (KELTRON) is leading the way by focussing on major thrust area like Defence, Aerospace, Electronics, Intelligent Traffic Management and Surveillance Systems. KELTRON and its subsidiary companies also focus on AI enabled technologies and positioning as a leader in underwater electronics systems for ships, submarines to leading defence companies in India including exports to countries like Vietnam and Africa. KELTRON bagged orders worth more than Rs.1000 Crores during the current financial year and signed an MoU with ELTORQUE, Italy for designing and manufacturing of electric, hydraulic and electro-hydraulic actuators for Control systems. Keltron Component Complex Ltd, Kannur commissioned India’s first Super Capacitor manufacturing facility and started production in the current financial year. Keltron Electro Ceramics Ltd also bagged many defence orders for production of transducers in under water system and improving the profitability to highest level.
Strong Market Presence of Steel Industry
Engineering Industries viz. Steel Industrial Forgings Ltd are expanding their footprint in the international market by obtaining API (American Petroleum Institute) registration and collaboration with Gas companies based in Qatar and started bagging prestigious orders from CERN (European Organisation for Nuclear research). The company also executed speciality forgings for BARC and the Railway Sector in India and US Company Miller. Also, Steel industries Kerala Ltd are engaging with the Cochin Shipyard for supplying major components of ship viz. Hatch Coaming, under water manways and sub-assemblies. SILK facility at Azheekkal also developed dry docking system and slip way and increasing its business not only in small ship fabrication but even started breaking big Submarines of Indian Navy at their facility.
Building on Popularity
Kerala soaps under the banner of KSIE started exports of their popular sandal and bath soaps to European countries and also started production of liquid soaps/ toiletries. After taking over of HNL as KPPL, company made a significant turnaround with the state government support and started receiving more orders from leading newspaper houses such as Dainik Bhaskar, Dinathanthi, Dinakar, The Hindu, Malayala Manorama and Mathrubhumi. Another initiative by the Government to revamp the textile industry is the formation of Cotton Board for the centralised procurement of quality cottons through common procurement system which ensure sustainability of textile industry.
Marketing Through K-Shoppe
For a centralised marketing of Kerala PSU products, Government of Kerala launched an e–commerce portal K-Shoppe with the support of India Post for door to door delivery throughout India. Further steps are in progress for reaching Middle East and European markets and engaging more PSUs in its fold. Also, steps are being taken to distribute FMCG products of PSUs in Civil Supplies K store for more reach in rural areas. Kerala Clays and Ceramics Products Limited is leading the way in FMCG by producing and marketing coconut based products like coconut powder, coconut milk, virgin coconut oil and develop even own farms for producing products from passion fruits. This is a significant change from their traditional clay mining and even diversified in to petrol bunk operations. Cashew development corporation also tie up with Milma for developing new health drinks cashew vita pista/ cardamom/ chocolate and milk shake powder.