Twenty industrial clusters would be promoted in the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector across the State during the current financial year at an investment of Rs.136 crore, said M.C.Sampath, Minister for Rural Industries and Noon Meal, here on Friday.
Nine of these clusters would be set up in collaboration with the Coir Board and one of them would be situated in Pudukottai, he said, speaking on the sidelines of a function to mark the opening of a showroom of the Tamil Nadu Small Industries Corporation (TANSI) in the city. He also indicated that steps were underway to identify a suitable site for the proposed exclusive industrial estate for women in Srirangam constituency.
Earlier, speaking at the function, Mr.Sampath said the State government was committed to popularise the products of the TANSI, which were known for quality and affordability. The corporation would achieve the sales target of Rs.110 crore for the current financial year.
Apart from the existing orders at hand, efforts were on to secure more orders.
Besides steel and wooden furniture, TANSI was also engaged in various specialised equipment, including products for ISRO, BHEL and HAL. He appealed to the local bodies to procure their furniture requirement from TANSI.
The TANSI showroom would serve Tiruchi and other central districts and a special discount of 10 per cent would be offered till July 27.
N.R.Sivapathi, Minister for School Education, Youth Welfare and Sports, said School Education Department was one of the major customers of the TANSI and last year, orders for furniture for schools worth Rs.33 crore were placed with the corporation under the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan. He promised to place more orders this year.
K.Allaudin, Chairman and Managing Director, TANSI, said the State government was keen on bringing about a revival of the corporation, whose growth has been affected for some time in recent years owing to stiff competition from the private sector.
He appealed to the elected representatives of local bodies and the district administration to procure furniture and hand pumps from TANSI. He also suggested that MLAs could provide furniture to government students’ hostels under the Local Area Development Fund by placing orders for the same with the TANSI.
Niranjan Mardi, Principal Secretary, MSME Department, said the Chief Minister, at a recent review meeting, has ordered the opening of TANSI showrooms in Namakkal, Tiruchi and Madurai. While the showrooms at Namakkal and Tiruchi have been opened, the one at Madurai would be opened soon.
Collector Jayashree Muralidharan pledged full support to the TANSI and affirmed that all orders for furniture and handpumps from the district administration would be given to the corporation. She urged the local bodies to follow suit.
S.S.Saravanakumar, Deputy General Manager, TANSI, proposed the vote of thanks.
M.Paranjothi, R.Manoharan, T.P.Poonatchi and T.Indira Gandhi, MLAs, T.Rajathi, chairperson, District Panchayat, and A.Jaya, Mayor, were present.
