PTR thanks Stalin for giving him ‘exciting new role’ as IT minister, promises to ‘accelerate job creation’

CHENNAI: Palanivel Thiaga Rajan on Thursday thanked chief minister M K Stalin for giving him an opportunity to serve as Tamil Nadu finance minister for two years and for providing him with an “exciting new role” as information technology and digital services minister to serve people.
Taking to Twitter, moments after the Raj Bhavan released a statement on governor R N Ravi approving the changes to portfolios, PTR said the past two years had been the most fulfilling in his life. “Under the leadership of CM@mkstalin, I presented one revised budget (’21 - ’22) during the pandemic, and two annual budgets (’22 – ’23, ’23 – ’24) post-pandemic. Despite inheriting record deficits and debt ratios, we have invested in a record number of social welfare schemes as well as record capital spending, all while delivering record-setting fiscal improvements. This is the epitome of my public service, and indeed of my life,” the minister said.
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While fiscal consolidation and social spending are necessary steps for an equitable society, the drivers of development and growth are investment, enterprise expansion and job-creation, Thiaga Rajan said.
Expressing gratitude to the chief minister for assigning him the new portfolio, IT, Thiaga Rajan said the sector was globally the number one industry for investment and job-creation today. “We know that technology shapes the future. Though Tamil Nadu was a pioneer in this field in Thalaivar Kalaignar’s time, we have unfortunately lagged our true potential in this sector in the last decade or so. I plan to build on the great efforts of my predecessor @manothangaraj to attract more investments, accelerate job creation and deliver growth at a pace that will re-establish Tamil Nadu as a leading state in IT,” the minister said.
He expressed hope that his own experience in establishing and managing a pioneering Global Capability Centre 15 years ago, and the connectivity with the IT & ITES Industry gained during my professional career, would enrich his efforts in the new role.

Thiaga Rajan wished his successor, finance minister Thangam Thennarasu, a great success and many more achievements. “I am sure he will accelerate the progress already made and deliver new records in his tenure,” he said.
Thiaga Rajan was on Thursday moved out of the finance portfolio after controversial ‘audio clips’ purportedly containing his voice heard saying that the DMK’s first family amassed wealth after assuming charge.