Industrial activity in Tirupur district that suffered a setback due to enforcement of ZLD (Zero Liquid Discharge) norms during the DMK regime in 2007 could be revived only due to the AIADMK’s proactive steps after assuming power, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa said on Thursday.
The DMK failed to support the 750 industrial units that faced closure due to court orders in the wake of pollution caused to Orathupallam Dam and Noyyal River. The AIADMK, on its part, provided interest free loan of Rs. 200 crore and granted Rs. 300 subsidy for the industries to establish 18 Common Effluent Treatment Plants, alongside facilitating installation of ZLD paraphernalia.
The AIADMK Government also provided farmers (affected by pollution in Noyyal River) Rs. 25 crore as compensation, the Chief Minister said addressing an election meeting here to seek votes for party candidates in Erode, Tirupur and Namakkal districts.
For the benefit of 1,900 dyeing and other industries in Erode, Salem, Namakkal and Karur districts, the Tamil Nadu Water Investment Corporation has already prepared a project report for establishment of CETPs with 25 per cent subsidy support from the government, the Chief Minister said.
Ms. Jayalalithaa ridiculed the DMK for stating that industries from the Coimbatore region had shifted to Chamarajnagar in Karnataka district due to power cut and sought to know if the rival party could name at least one relocated industry.
On price rise, she said the State Government had taken several steps to mitigate the impact caused on the people due to the policies adopted by the Central Government. Rise in prices of essential commodities hinges on fortnightly revision in the cost of petrol and diesel by oil companies, and other factors. The DMK was also a party to the decision of the earlier UPA Government to permit oil companies to raise prices periodically.
The AIADMK Government intervened by abolishing Value Added Tax for urea and domestic gas cylinders. The BJP Government at the centre was profiteering by levying huge excise duty of Rs. 13.57 per litre on diesel and Rs. 11.77 per litre on petrol. While the other states had raised sales tax, Tamil Nadu has refrained to safeguard people from price rise.
Despite the rise in diesel price, the AIADMK government has provided diesel subsidy of Rs. 1,566 crore to the transport corporations.
People were being protected from the impact of price rise through supply of essentials at subsidised prices through fair price shops and provision of food for nominal costs through Amma Unavagams.
