Industry associations to work with TN govt on growth issues

Concerned over the recent 'Ease of Doing Business' rankings which showed that Tamil Nadu has slipped from 12th to 18th spot, industry and trade associations today decided to work with the government on issues impacting the growth and progress of the state.
"We will now work as a united force and represent the issues impacting Tamil Nadu to the Centre. There is no dearth of funds at the Centre, but we need to place our demand," S Rethinavel, Senior President, Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Madurai, said.
He was briefing reporters on the deliberations of a meeting 'Coming Together' of various industry bodies, in the backdrop of the state's recent demotion in rating for 'Ease of Doing Business'.

"Tamil Nadu has been pushed down the rankings to 18th spot from 12th among all states, which has come as a rude shock to the industry and trade bodies, prompting having such a meeting with 14 Chambers of Commerce and Industry," he said.
After exchanging views and initiating ideas on how trade bodies could help steer the state on a path of progress, the meeting decided to work with the government, he said, adding that the associations would introspect to understand why Tamil Nadu ws demoted in rating for 'Ease of Doing Business'.
"Many issues continue to plague the state, key among them being time-bound clearances for projects, transparent accountable process,construction and infrastructure approvals, power connections, land use conversions," Rethinavel said.

Non-availability of water has killed the rural economy because of lack of policy and initiatives towards maintaining and preserving water resources, he alleged.

Corporatisation of agriculture is the need of the hour to make agriculture a viable proposition and lure youngsters into it and single window clearance for ease of operation," Rethinavel said.
President of local chapter of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Vanitha Mohan, said that this (coming together) was just the beginning and they would work together on some common issues impacting the state's trade and industry.
Asked about the impact of demonetisation on the trade, Rethinavel said though the decision was welcome, there were issues in implementation.

Trade has been affected pretty much -- close to 50 to 80 per cent -- mostly because of shortage of lower denomination notes, he said.
Both Rathinavel and Vanitha Mohan opined that this was only for a temporary period. "We understand it.... People are adjusting to the situation. No one is starving," they said.