A day after she shared the “live” video conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin to dedicate the 1,000 MW Unit-1 of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant to the time-tested India-Russia friendship, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa simply demolished the charges made by arch rival DMK that industries were shutting down their units in the State and setting up shops in places like Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
Intervening in a debate on grants for the department of industry in Tamil Nadu legislative Assembly on Thursday, Jayalalithaa pointed out with facts and figures that not a single industrialist has left the State and shifted to other States. “Not a single industrialist in Tamil Nadu is willing to leave and go to other States as Tamil Nadu is a front runner in law and order and offered uninterrupted quality electricity,” thundered Jayalalithaa which was greeted with thumping of the desk by the AIADMK MlAs and Ministers.
The Chief Minister, who is also the AIADMK general secretary, was reacting to a charge made by one of the DMK MlAs that industrialists were moving out of Tamil Nadu to states like Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka due to industry friendly climate and policies in those States.
“Name at least one company which shut shop in Tamil Nadu and went to Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. The fact is Chief Ministers of other States are coming to Tamil Nadu and meeting industrialists here besides hosting events to attract investments. They are wooing entrepreneurs in Tamil Nadu with attractive offers including free land. Not even one company is willing to move out of Tamil Nadu,” said the Chief Minister.
Jayalalithaa said if an industry has to be launched and conducted in a successful manner in a particular place, law and order is very crucial. Tamil Nadu alone can provide it. Another factor which is a pre-requisite for industrialists to set up business is the availability of quality and uninterrupted power. Tamil Nadu is a front runner in power. Moreover states like Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh are buying electricity from Tamil Nadu.
So, no industrialist or investment will leave Tamil Nadu and go to other places,” said Jayalalithaa. She asked TRB Raja, the DMK member who levelled the charges, to get his facts right before speaking in the assembly.