An ordinance mooted to prevent destruction of private property during hartals seeks to deliver a clear political message that the government would not brook violence or deflect from its investment and tourism promotion and other development plans. The ordinance is expected to win the support of the public as well as industry and trade circles. It is also a natural corollary to the Act passed for investment promotion and facilitation last year. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has taken the lead to reach out to political leaders and key players of the tourism industry to find a solution to exempt the sector from hartals. Sporadic violence triggered by the entry of women of childbearing age to Sabarimala has prompted the government to expedite the process.

Source: The Hindu January 07, 2019 12:20 UTC