CHENNAI: Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and Minister for Tamil Culture K Pandiarajan have assured the Assembly that the Salem Steel plant and Ordnance Clothing Factory, (OCF), Avadi, will not be closed down as appropriate steps were taken by the government to protect the units.
Replying to AP Nandakumar of DMK, who said the Centre was trying to close down the Salem Steel plant and the State government did not take steps to protect the plant, Palaniswami intervened and said, “Lok Sabha deputy speaker had spoken in Parliament over the issue and I have sent a letter to the Prime Minister urging him not to close down the plant. Hence, it will not be shut.”
Nandakumar said the Centre had decided to close down the Ordnance Clothing Factory, Avadi, and the State government should take steps to protect the unit. For this, Pandiarajan said, “The State has sent a letter to the Centre and we have spoken to Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on this issue and she has given a written statement that the factory will not be closed.”