'Nokku kooli' to unload luggage even from bus, CPM destroyed industry in Kerala: Nirmala Sitharaman

NEW DELHI: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has criticized the CPM rule for destroying industry in Kerala. She was replying to the Manipur Budget debate in the Rajya Sabha. The Finance Minister was angered when some CPM members objected while she was explaining the steps taken by the Central government to establish peace in Manipur.

"Kerala is facing the backlash of the wrong industrial policies adopted by the CPM government. There, a 'nokku kooli' has to be paid in addition to the actual fee to unload luggage from a bus. In Malayalam, 'Nokku' means 'to look', meaning a person - who maybe a CPI (M) cardholder, will get the additional Rs 50 for just sitting and watching while the other person is putting down the luggage. That kind of communism has destroyed the industry in Kerala."

When the Left members opposed the minister's statement, Nirmala Sitharaman revealed that "Recently, Kerala CM gave an interview in which he says there's no 'Nokku Kooli' nowadays, which means it existed before." She said that they should not try to correct her statement and that she is a person from that region.

Nirmala Sitharaman attacked Kerala after criticizing the bad situation in West Bengal and Tripura, which were ruled by the CPM.
CPI member Santosh Kumar pointed out that the Prime Minister did not visit Manipur. The minister answered, "Didn't he come to Kerala when the Wayanad disaster happened? Don't come at me with communist tactics. I know how to give a good answer." It was pointed out that violence had taken place in Manipur during the UPA government and that the Prime Minister had not visited then. Nirmala Sitharaman reminded that the current Union Home Minister Amit Shah camped there for several days.