The Tamil Chamber of Commerce has demanded the immediate implementation of the Chennai-Bangalore Industrial Corridor project and the Sethusamudram Project.
At an interactive session with Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry E M Sudarsana Natchiappan here on Friday, the chamber submitted a joint seven-point charter of various trade bodies and associations. Topping the list was the demand that the government find suitable ways to control depreciation of the Indian rupee against the US dollar. “The depreciation has wide-ranging impact on so many key issues,” Chozha Naachiar Rajasekar, president, TCC, said.
The charter also sought speedy implementation of the Chennai-Bangalore Industrial Corridor announced in the last budget and allocation of required funds. “The project will improve trade and industry in the southern states, leading to economic development the southern parts of the country and India as a whole,” Rajasekar pointed out.
Lack of adequate infrastructure and connectivity were also two factors that affected exim trade and the automobile industry too suffered because of them. Suitable action must be taken to address the twoproblems, the charter said.
It demanded the speedy implementation of the Dedicated Elevated Corridor project from Chennai Port to Maduravoyal and the Sethusamudiram project.
The chamber had tax-related issues with the IT department, as the total exemption for the body had been withdrawn, the charter said adding that the commerce ministry take up the issue with the Finance
Ministry. For the last decade, there was shortage of officials in sea and air Customs, which affected the export and import activities. Adequate officials must be recruited by the Centre, it added.
In his speech, the minister dwelt at length about his dream project of establishing industrial clusters Madurai, Sivaganga, Cuddalore, Villupuram and Coimbatore belts. He also advocated the harvesting of solar energy.
M Rafeeque Ahmed, president, FIEO and P Murari, advisor to FICCI president, were among those who addressed the gathering.