CHENNAI: Industries Minister P Thangamani on Sunday denied as baseless the charge of DMK president M Karunanidhi that the State had received less investments and said that in fact Tamil Nadu topped in industrial growth during the past five years of the AIADMK rule. He said the DMK chief’s efforts to hoodwink people by unleashing false information would not succeed.
In a statement here, the Minister gave a long list of investments attracted towards the State. He said that during the past five years 5.32 lakh small, marginal and medium enterprises had set up shops involving an investment of Rs 88,354 crore. Further, 14 new industrial estates were set up and through the the Global Investors Meet, 98 MoUs were signed attracting an investment of Rs 2.42 lakh crore. Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa had announced that all requisite clearances would be accorded to them in 30 days.
“The Chief Minister had launched and laid foundation stones for industries set up by 14 companies involving an investment of Rs 15,112 crore on January 29,” he said and added that 19 companies had set up shops involving a total investment of `6,530 crore and all clearances were given to 12 companies, which were in the advanced stage of commissioning their production facilities”, the Industries Minister said.
He also pointed out that a total of Rs 22,595 crore investments had been received from 45 companies and job opportunities given. Normally, industrial units used to take three to seven years to put up their units. However, thanks to the efforts made by the Chief Minister, they were able to start their units within six months. Besides, the Chief Minister had released new policies for industrial growth, he added.
DMK, Cong may Clinch Seat-sharing Pact
Chennai: Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad will be holding talks with DMK president M Karunanidhi on Monday (April 4) at the latter’s residence around 9 am for finalising the number of seats the Congress would contest. Sources said that both the parties have already come to an agreement through telephonic conversations between the leaders.
Withdraw Sedition Cases, Says MK
Chennai: DMK president M Karunanidhi has sought the State Government to withdraw sedition cases registered against six persons, including a TASMAC trade union leader, who spoke at an anti-liquor conference in Tiruchy. In a statement here on Sunday, he wondered how speaking and writing about prohibition amounted to crime when the Constitution itself emphased that the government take steps for implementing prohibition. The sedition charges must be dropped against them immediately, he added.
Stalin Condoles CRPF SI’s Death
Chennai: DMK Treasurer M K Stalin on Sunday visited the residence of CRPF Sub-Inspector Vijayaraj, who was killed in a recent landmine blast at Dantewada in Chhattisgarh. Speaking after paying floral tributes to the portrait of the slain Vijayaraj at his house in Ambattur, he said that Vijayaraj’s ldeath was not a loss only to his family but also to the nation.
PMK’s Policies a BIG Hit: Ramadoss
Chennai: Armed with the results of an opinion poll, PMK founder S Ramadoss on Sunday said that the real fight in the upcoming Assembly elections was between the AIADMK and PMK. Citing the opinion poll conducted by an American-based firm, he said that PMK’s policies such as uprooting corruption, eradicating t distributon of money for votes and ending freebies had found support among people. The opinion poll has further revealed that the real competition was between the AIADMK and the PMK in the ensuing elections, the PMK leader added.