Chennai, June 8 (IANS). AMMK general secretary TTV Dhinakaran on Monday questioned the ability of the Tamil Nadu government to retain major industrial investments in the state. The question arose after reports emerged that Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), which had earlier signed an MoU with the Tamil Nadu government for the Rs 29,000 crore project in Thoothukudi, has now signed an MoU with the Andhra Pradesh government.
In a statement, Dhinakaran said this development is a matter of grave concern and raises questions on the state’s industrial policy and investment follow-up mechanism.
He wondered how Tamil Nadu’s economy might develop if companies that signed agreements with the state government later chose to invest in neighboring states.
Citing media reports, he said MDL had committed to invest extensively in Thoothukudi during the previous government. However, now that the company is moving ahead on a project in Andhra Pradesh, concerns have grown over whether Tamil Nadu is doing enough to convert investment commitments into actual industrial projects.
Dhinakaran also hit out at the government, alleging that meetings between Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, the Industries Minister and representatives of multinational corporations are often shown on social media platforms, but there is little information available on whether those meetings have resulted in concrete agreements, investments or job creation.
He said the public has yet to get a clear picture of how many of the announced investment proposals have converted into operational projects or generated employment for the youth of the state.
The AMMK leader said Tamil Nadu has traditionally been considered one of the most industrially advanced states of India, with strong infrastructure, manufacturing capabilities and a skilled workforce.
He claimed that following the change of government, concerns are emerging over the state’s ability to compete effectively with neighboring states in terms of attracting and retaining investment.
–IANS
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