THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: 1000 crore turnover in the Golden Jubilee year, ventures in other states... Keltron, a public sector organization, fell into controversy when it was about to leap onto the path of development. Keltron came under suspicion after AI decided to freeze the camera contract.

It is impossible to say what will happen to the contracts that were guaranteed by many institutions. In some other states, similar projects like Safe Kerala were in the process of being tendered. The process of making an agreement with the National Highway Authority was also in progress. The procedures for a contract with the Kerala Police for 10 years were also on the move.

It was during this time that Keltron was accused of imprudence in awarding the contract to SRIT for the installation of AI cameras. Minister P Rajeev tasked the Principal Secretary of the Industries Department to investigate and submit a report, but the report was not received.

During the golden jubilee year, the main target was to manufacture products for defense, traffic signal and enforcement, security and surveillance, and space electronics. It was also decided to expand operations to areas such as cloud data management and artificial intelligence. Keltron chiefs put forward the message of making Kerala an electronics hub. It was for this reason that it has been decided as per Minister P Rajeev's suggestion to make experts in the respective fields part of Keltron, but what is important now is how the organization will overcome the current controversies.

Molded by KPP Nambiar

Keltron was established at a time when the electronics sector was not popular in Kerala. KPP Nambiar named Kunnath Puthiyaveettil Padmanabhan Nambiar, who was prominent in this field, was invited to Kerala by Chief Minister C Achuthamenon. Keltron was born on August 30, 1973 at VJT Hall (now Ayyangali Hall), Thiruvananthapuram with Nambiar as Chairman and Managing Director. Nambiar continued as chairman till 1985.