Trivandrum: Beleagured over not starting the work on multicrore SmartCity IT Project in Kochi, CPI-M led LDF government in Kerala today decided to issue an umtimatum to the Dubai based promoters Tecom Investments.

A cabinet meeting chaired by State Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan resolved to send a notice to Tecom to reply within 15 days whether they were interested in continuing the project slated to attract more than Rs.1500 crores in the initial phase itself.

Addressing a press conference after cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Achuthanandan said that government would inform Tecom authorities its stand and gave 15 days time for a reply.

Tug of war between the state government and its joint venture promoter over the IT Park, considerd to be one of the dream schems of the state to promote IT ventures, began over the question of 'free hold land' out of 256 acres acquired and given to the promoters.

Government maintained that it was ready to treat 30 acres of land as in the agreement as free hold land but without any right for sale, which was not acceptable to Tecom.

Though number of discussions between the state governemnt officials and Tecom to find a agreeable solution were held, with both parties sticking to their stand, the project had failed to take off. The foundation stone for the project was laid two years back.