Trade, industry bodies raise issues of Metro Rail project and NHAI toll plaza at Kappalur

Metro Rail project for Madurai city was the major demand put forth by Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, with the election manifesto preparation committee of AIADMK here on Monday.

Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry expressed shock over the Centre returning the project report, citing that Madurai city had less than 20 lakh population. While the Centre had referred to the 2011 census, the present population of Madurai city has crossed 20 lakh.

Besides, the Centre had sanctioned metro rail projects for several north Indian cities with less than 20 lakh population, said its president N. Jagadeesan in his petition presented to the AIADMK poll manifesto preparation panel, headed by former Minister Natham R. Viswanathan.

The chamber also demanded that the underpass on Ring Road should be constructed to facilitate Madurai airport runway extension work as done in cities like Varanasi and Chandigarh.

In its petition, Madurai District Tiny and Small Scale Industries Association wanted to revoke the present practice of imposing an exorbitant fixed charge on newly-created industrial units. While an old industry consuming 7,500 units had to pay electricity charges, including a fixed charge at the rate of ₹8.50 per unit, a new industrial house consuming only 1,500 units has to pay ₹18 per unit. This takes away the competitive edge of the new industrial units, its president, V. Senthil Kumar said.

The association also wanted to increase the subsidy for private industrial estate to 90% from the present 15%.

Ethanol-blended petrol not good for vehicles

Tamil Nadu Petrol Traders Association president J. Selvam said that cars produced in India were not compatible with using ethanol-blended petrol and were causing major repairs in the engines of vehicles. Hence, the AIADMK should insist on ensuring the availability of petrol without mixing of ethanol.

Kappalur Industrialists Association P.N. Raghunatha Raja raised the long-pending demand of removing the NHAI toll plaza at Kappalur.

“We are forced to pay the toll without using the NHAI highway at all,” he said, recalling the series of steps taking by the association to remove it.

“Several industrial units were moving away from Madurai because of this toll gate,” he complained.

He also demanded that small scale units should be permitted for private solar power purchase as done in other parts of the country. It would benefit the industry without causing any loss to TNEB, he said.

Petty shop owners association complained that Madurai City police were forcing the shops to be closed by 11 p.m. without citing any reason.

Candidates who had cleared Teachers Eligibility Test complained that the State Government was not filling up huge vacancies of teachers by appointing them instead of temporary teachers.

A farmer M.P. Raman complained that water could not be stored in Mullaperiyar dam to its permitted full capacity due to the implementation of Rule Curve.

Earlier speaking on the occasion, Mr. Viswanathan said that poll manifesto has become vital in deciding the outcome of elections. Hence, the AIADMK was giving special attention in preparing it by consulting people of all walks of life.

Party leaders C. Ponnaiyan, D. Jayakumar, Pollachi V. Jayaraman, S. Semmalai, C.V. Shanmugam, R.B. Udhayakumar, Sellur K. Raju, V.V. Rajan Chellappa and S.S. Vaigai Selvan, were present.