CHENNAI: Chief minister M K Stalin on Tuesday said his government is working on a target to make Tamil Nadu a $ 1 trillion economy ($ 1 lakh crore GDP economy) by 2030. The DMK government will also ensure that Tamil Nadu not only becomes the most preferred place for investments in South Asia, but also becomes the first stop for investors.
Making Tamil Nadu a $ 1 trillion economy is part of a three-point target that Stalin has defined for the government. The other two being - ensuring that the state attracts 23 lakh crore in new investments and creates new job opportunities for 46 lakh people - all by 2030, a senior state government official said.
Kick-starting the DMK government's first major Industrial Conclave after it came to power this May, Stalin said within a short period, the government has taken several measures and it has been appreciated by all. "By taking swift actions, we brought Covid under control. When we came to power, there was not only health crisis but also financial crisis. My appeal for donating to CM Public Relief Fund evoked good response and we have received over 489 crore and it showed the confidence of people in our government," Stalin said.
"We will ensure the state facilitates ease of doing business and we have now unveiled an upgraded website 2.0 for single window clearance that has inculcated 100 more services across 24 departments. We will add another 210 services under it by next March and ensure that single window is not just on paper but in delivery. Not just the government, even those industries that are already in Tamil Nadu should reach out to investors to choose the state for their new investments," Stalin said.
Prominent among the measures the DMK government has so far taken is the formation of the 5-member CM Economic Advisory Council (EAC) comprising Nobel laureate Esther Duflo, economist Jean Dreze, former RBI governor Raghuram Rajan, former chief economic advisor to PM Aravind Subramanian and former Union secretary S Narayan to help the state focus on long-term inclusive economic growth. The government also revamped the State Development Policy Council to focus on micro issues.
The chief minister said the government has taken steps to implement a TTRO plant in Krishnagiri district to solve the water problem faced by Hosur industrial cluster, while new residential townships for workers will be constructed in Vallam Vadagal, Hosur and Tiruppur industrial clusters.
"I have ordered setting up of a 500 crore Industrial Eco-System Fund to create the required infrastructure and innovation centres in new industrial regions," Stalin said. The state will soon come out with policies for exports, pharma and R&D to encourage growth in these segments.
On Tuesday, 35 new MoUs were signed in the presence of Stalin to attract more than 17,141 crore in new investments and generate employment to 55,000 people. In addition, foundation stones were laid for nine new projects entailing an investment of 4,250 crore and generating employment to over 21,600 people, besides inaugurating commercial production in five industrial units established with a combined investment of 7,117 crore and employing close to 6,800 people.
