The Hindu Business Line : ‘New industrial policy is aimed at attracting investors to south TN’

A ‘Facilitation Act’ was being thought of under which clearance would be initiated in a parallel manner instead of the sequential clearance under the single window system

Our Correspondent

Madurai, Aug. 7 The new industrial policy announced by Tamil Nadu is aimed at making investors prefer the southern districts if a decision were to be made on the basis of a choice of a location in the State, said Mr M.S. Farooqui, Principal Secretary, Department of Industries, here on Thursday.

Delivering a special address at a session on ‘Empowering TN Southern Districts’ organised jointly by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Madurai Zone and the Government of Tamil Nadu, he said that enactment of a “Facilitation Act” was being thought of to gain time in processing applications under which clearance would be initiated in a parallel manner instead of the sequential clearance under the single window system.

A disciplined and talented workforce in terms of human capital has been the focal point of attraction for the investors to the State and this holds good for the southern districts too. While expecting a big ticket investment to take place in the region is normal, development is also possible through convergence of facilities in and around a place.

Detailing the steps initiated by the Government for the industrialisation of the southern districts, he said that the need for investment in augmenting the facilities in terms of connectivity and provision of power is recognised by the Government.

Tuticorin Port and Madurai Airport are on an expansion mode. In the power front, schemes are afoot to generate over 7,500 mega watts of power by 2012. The days are not far off when the State would turn into an exporter of power, he said.

Mr P.R. Ramasubrahmaniya Rajha, Chairman, Madras Cements Ltd, in his address earlier, said that it would prove to be a mistake for the entrepreneurs to expect and work on incentives. Entrepreneurship is revealed in spotting an opportunity and working on it despite hardships. The Government needs to encourage such initiatives, he stressed.

He suggested that the southern districts could focus on developing the steel and engineering industries.

Mr Manikam Ramaswami, Chairman, CII, Tamil Nadu, drew attention to the challenges on the infrastructural front and stressed on the need for a sustained supply of quality power and bringing to effective use the captive power available in the State.

Mr T. Kannan, past Chairman, CII, Southern Region, stressed on the need for a uniform power cut through out the State so that industries in the rural areas are not discriminated against.

He also sought for a statutory mandate to make students in colleges work in companies to gain experience and work skills as done under the apprenticeship system with reference to polytechnics.

Mr S. S.Jawahar, District Collector, suggested that CII should prepare a concept paper on Madurai as a ‘Medical City’ for promotion of medical tourism.

Mr R. Dinesh, Chairman, CII, Madurai Zone, pleaded for a major investment in southern districts from either the auto or telecom sector.

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