Kochi, Tuesday 02 June 2009: Kerala Fisheries and Registration Minister S. Sarma has said that the implementation of the SmartCity Kochi project calls for a policy decision that protects the interests of the State.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function here on Monday, Sarma, who is also the chairman of the SmartCity Kochi project, said the issue would be discussed in the next meeting of the State Cabinet. He said a consensus would be reached by holding discussions with the officials concerned.

Kerala Fisheries and Registration Minister said the government was not against offering 12 per cent freehold land. Stating that the issue of freehold land was mentioned in the original framework agreement, he said the question was how this land would be utilised.

He said that was why there was the need for a policy decision at the Cabinet level. When reporters drew his attention to the December deadline set by the Chief Executive Officer of the company, Kerala Fisheries and Registration Minister Sarma said that a decision could be reached in a couple of months.