How to gain peace of mind? Minister Rajeev, industrialist Sabu Jacob slug it out after Andhra invites Kitex

Kochi: The Andhra Pradesh government’s invitation to Kerala-based textile major Kitex Garments Ltd to invest in the state has triggered a war of words between Kerala Industries Minister P Rajeev and the company’s head, Sabu M Jacob.

Sabu reiterated that he decided to call off his company’s proposed investments of ₹3,500 crore in Kerala and shift them to Telangana because he was fed up with the harassment from the Left government, prompting a sharp response from Rajeev.

Projecting the state’s advancements in the business sector, the minister said those who still claim that Kerala is not industry-friendly will have to answer to the state's youth. He also took a personal jibe at Sabu, saying, “A person should decide whether he needs peace of mind or not.”

Sabu, the chairman and managing director of Kitex, retorted to the minister’s remarks: “The minister meant that peace of mind can be attained by considering those who are important. I don’t expect that kind of a peace. I don’t want anyone’s benevolence,” the industrialist told media at Kizhakkambalam where Kitex is based at. Sabu said that despite a series of inspections and raids at his company, the Kerala government could not find even a single violation.

Responding to the Andhra government’s invitation to Kitex, the minister said companies from other states and countries were setting up their units in Kerala of late. “HCL Technologies, one of the most important engineering firms in the world, is setting up its second unit in Kerala within months of starting operations in the state. It (the new facility) will be inaugurated tomorrow,” Rajeev told reporters on Sunday.

Rajeev attributed political motives to Sabu’s comments. Kitex CMD heads the Twenty20, the non-profit that rules Kizhakkambalam and Aikkaranad panchayats. He said the Kerala government was focusing on bringing industries where local people can work. A large section of Kitex’s employees are migrant labourers.

On Saturday, Andhra Pradesh's Minister for Handlooms and Textiles, S Savitha, visited the Kitex headquarters at Kizhakkamabalam and invited the company to invest in the state. Kitex is already developing two production facilities in Telangana with an investment worth ₹35,000 crore. The company expects a revenue of ₹5,000 crore once the new production facilities are fully operational.

“Through its current expansion in Telangana, Kitex is becoming the number one player in the apparel segment. That is why I am here — to invite Kitex to invest in Andhra Pradesh and lead the textile sector’s expansion in the state. Andhra Pradesh is ushering in several forward-looking developments in the sector. To be part of the growth story, we are inviting globally acclaimed companies with a proven track record, like Kitex, to invest in the state.

“Our vision is to create large-scale employment and build Andhra Pradesh into a global textile hub. We will update on further developments after a direct meeting with the chief minister,” Savitha said in a statement after she met Sabu.

In 2021, Telangana invited Sabu to set up facilities there after he announced he was planning to withdraw from further investments in Kerala, alleging the CPM-led government was harassing his company management in an act of political vendetta. Sabu came out against the government, especially CPM’s Kunnathunad MLA P V Sreenijin, following repeated inspections at his factories.

“We are setting up two garment production units in Telangana, one in Warangal and the other in Hyderabad; each coming up on 250 acres. The Warangal facility has already started functioning since April. The units are designed to produce 22 lakh garment pieces per day. Our Kochi unit is producing 7 lakh units a day,” Sabu told Onmanorama.

Last month, Kitex reported total revenue of ₹1,001 crore for the financial year ended March 31, up from ₹631 crore the previous year.