States »SoutPosted at: Aug 10 2021 4:25PM TN budget should focus on COVID stressed sectors : CII
Chennai, Aug 10 (UNI) The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)
on Tuesday urged the Tamil Nadu Government to give priority focus
for the Covid affected sectors including MSMEs, retail, hospitality,
tourism, textiles, besides facilitating investments in the southern
districts in the Budget to be presented on August 13.
Mr C K Ranganathan, Chairman, CII Southern Region, said CII will work
towards achieving Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Vision of increasing the
State's Gross Domestic Product to USD one lakh crore by 2030 and make
Tamil Nadu as the 'investment favourite destination' in South Asia.
CII Tamil Nadu Chairman Dr S Chandrakumar said Covid has deeply impacted
demand across many sectors. The budget should facilitate in the creation
of demand for stressed sector for a quick revival of economy.
The budget should also have specific measures to boost investment in the
central and southern districts of Tamil Nadu to ensure equitable growth
and employment generation., he said
Dr Chandrakumar also said that the Government should give special focus
for development of Infrastructure and Connectivity in terms of Airport,
Roads and Ports. "We need more international Air Connectivity for Madurai,
Coimbatore and Trichy and night landing facility at Salem Airport", he added.
He also said the state also needs to explore Solar Pumps sets for the agriculture
(with state and central subsidy) as this would reduce the power bill for the state
exchequer over a period of time and also lessen the subsidy burden for the state.
Budget provision should be made to develop industrial infrastructure and availability
of skilled resources along with setting up of high-technology automotive clusters,
including for MSMEs. PLI scheme is required for the auto component and the auto
industry in order to make the sector more competitive globally.
Dr Chandrakumar said in the present scenario, the pandemic has hugely impacted the
lives and livelihood of the people. Hence, the next focus should be on building
large manufacturing hubs which will generate employment and also bring investments
to the state.
New investment in Auto Sector needs to be made in ancillary units which supply to
Auto majors. This would boost employment and also earn good revenue to the government
from the Indirect taxes.
Considering TN having more technically qualified people, more investment required for
IT/ITES to make Tamil Nadu as Fin Tech City and to attract Global IT/ITES companies
to choose TN make as data processing centres/back offices for the entire Globe.
Budget provision should be made for increasing the IT Infrastructure in the State.
High Bandwidth network for Semi urban and rural Tamil Nadu to ensure the last mile
connectivity. Increase financial support for R&D into emerging technologies. Invest
in emerging ecosystems, such as those around future mobility and healthcare. Prioritise
a competitive digital infrastructure–Implement developing global digital standards.
The Government should consider the completion of Chennai–Kanyakumari East Coast Road
as a six lane road and also consider four laning of Vikravandi–Kumbakonam–Thanjavur
Highway and the Tourism sector needs to be revitalised as it generates more employment
opportunities in the State.
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