Coimbatore: Chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Friday shot off a letter to prime minister Narendra Modi requesting him not to shut down the Government of India printing press at Periyanaickenpalayam here. .
The press, the chief minister said, should be retained as it has orders for the next four years. Palaniswami also put forward a suggestion before the prime minister to merge the presses in Kerala and Karnataka with the press at Periyanaickenpalayam.
"I request your kind intervention to retain the press at Periyanaickenpalayam by suitably instructing the ministry of housing and urban affairs,'' the chief minister's letter to the prime minister read.
The Government of India Press was set up at Palaniswami in 1960 during the late chief minister K Kamaraj's period. It is spread across 132 acres. A few months back, the central government decided to close the press as part of a merger and modernisation process.
Under the plan, 17 Government of India presses (GIP) would be merged into five. The directorate of printing had, meanwhile, asked the press at Periyanaickenpalayam to stop all the productions from December 31, hinting at its possible closure.
The central government's decision has faced flak from several political parties in Tamil Nadu. MDMK leader Vaiko had alleged that Centre was only closing the presses in South India, while spending more to modernise those in northern states.
"It is understood that the rationalisation/merger of Government of India Presses and their modernisation has been approved by the cabinet and this would mean that the GIP located in Coimbatore would be closed,'' the chief minister said.
"Coimbatore GIP has job orders for next four years, skilled labour and land measuring 132.7 acres. Hence it would be appropriate to retain it and merge presses in Karnataka and Kerala with the one in Coimbatore," he further said.
Employees at the press have urged the prime minister to take immediate cognizance of the letter and reverse the decision to shut down the press.
The press, the chief minister said, should be retained as it has orders for the next four years. Palaniswami also put forward a suggestion before the prime minister to merge the presses in Kerala and Karnataka with the press at Periyanaickenpalayam.
"I request your kind intervention to retain the press at Periyanaickenpalayam by suitably instructing the ministry of housing and urban affairs,'' the chief minister's letter to the prime minister read.
The Government of India Press was set up at Palaniswami in 1960 during the late chief minister K Kamaraj's period. It is spread across 132 acres. A few months back, the central government decided to close the press as part of a merger and modernisation process.
Under the plan, 17 Government of India presses (GIP) would be merged into five. The directorate of printing had, meanwhile, asked the press at Periyanaickenpalayam to stop all the productions from December 31, hinting at its possible closure.
The central government's decision has faced flak from several political parties in Tamil Nadu. MDMK leader Vaiko had alleged that Centre was only closing the presses in South India, while spending more to modernise those in northern states.
"It is understood that the rationalisation/merger of Government of India Presses and their modernisation has been approved by the cabinet and this would mean that the GIP located in Coimbatore would be closed,'' the chief minister said.
"Coimbatore GIP has job orders for next four years, skilled labour and land measuring 132.7 acres. Hence it would be appropriate to retain it and merge presses in Karnataka and Kerala with the one in Coimbatore," he further said.
Employees at the press have urged the prime minister to take immediate cognizance of the letter and reverse the decision to shut down the press.
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