CIPET not to be shifted from Chennai: TN BJP, Union Minister

The BJP's Tamil Nadu unit today said it has been informed by the Centre that the city-based Central Institute of Plastics Engineering and Technology (CIPET) will not be shifted to Delhi but will be expanded.
Senior leaders Pon Radhakrishnan, also Union Minister, and Tamilisai Sounderrajan, BJP state president, said in separate statements that they had taken up the matter with the Union Ministry concerned.
Their statements come against the backdrop of opposition to the proposal by state political leaders, including DMK President M Karunanidhi.
Radhakrishnan said he had taken up the matter with Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Ananthkumar, and his deputy, Mansukh Mandaviya.

"They have assured to look into the matter," he said.
Sounderrajan said she apprised the office of Ananthkumar earlier this month as he was out of country then.
The matter was also repeatedly taken up with Mandaviya and he has now told her that he will visit CIPET during his two-day official visit starting tomorrow, though no such programme was on his agenda, she said.
"When I recently contacted the Minister of State (Mandaviya), he said that Chennai (office) will not be shifted but only expanded. He said similar offices were likely to come up in 10-11 cities including Delhi," she said, adding, her party's state unit will never compromise on Tamil Nadu's rights.