Creating an exclusive platform to discuss the need for improvement of infrastructure, socio-economic levels and others with a focus on south Tamil Nadu, a new forum — Initiative for Public Policy — was formally launched by BJP senior leader and Rajya Sabha MP L. Ganesan here on Friday.
Speakers, experts and leaders representing the industry, trade and industrial associations, who spoke on the occasion, unanimously stressed the need for a time-bound action programme.
Be it on protecting waterbodies from encroachment or expediting land acquisition for establishing a major industry, or renovating a place of worship, the speakers said that instead of relying on government for everything and anything, the people should be engaged in a productive manner.
In his address, Rajmohan, an academic and MD of Envirocare, said that only when we saved water, our children could have them. Thus, we should find ways to conserve water. The need of the hour was to collectively engage each person in this direction.
He further said, “What was available with us should not be wasted. Instead, we have to examine alternatives to utilise them. For a 15 lakh population and another five lakh as floating population in Madurai, the recycled water collected from the dwellings could be well utilised as water for irrigation for a considerable portion of agricultural lands. Thus, the idea should be disseminated to masses and simultaneously brought to use. By doing so, the region would turn fertile and more people would become productive.”
Echoing similar views, MADITSSIA president K.P. Murugan said that rainwater harvest structures should be revived. By this action, the water table would increase and also public would understand the nuances of RWH structures in their houses.
A few other speakers touched upon the need for delivering quality water and use of technology.
Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry president N. Jagatheesan said that the airport in the city had to be focussed in a macro level, if southern districts had to flourish. There were plenty of opportunities for export from Madurai and a few other southern districts. However, due to absence of cargo facility, many exporters relied on other airports like Tiruchi and Kochi.
He appealed to the forum to take it up with Union government for expediting the same within a time frame.
MADITSSIA former president Manimaran said that the government had proposed to develop the Madurai-Thoothukudi stretch as an industrial corridor. Though there had been no tangible progress, the government should be told the need for development as it would directly and indirectly bring in employment among others.
Stressing the need for renovating temple tanks and establishing an independent welfare board for management of all temples and its staff in the lines of Kerala, S. Pandirajan from Thirukoshityur said that a data base on temple lands had to be prepared and suggested the forum to have a thinktank team to follow up.
In his address, Mr. Ganesan said that he would be available to make representation with Union government in all possible ways and support the initiative. Forum coordinator R. Srinivasan said that they would meet at regular intervals and suggest ways to government for action.
Shastry V. Mallady, joint coordinator, proposed a vote of thanks.