TN to set up industrial estates

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu government will start industrial estates in the backward districts of Kanyakumari, Dindigul and Theni this year.

These estates would be floated by the State Industrial Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIDCO), State Rural Industries Minister N Palanisamy told the state assembly today, replying to a debate on the demands for grants for his department.

He said under the recently announced policy for the micro, tiny and small industries, private sector would be allowed to develop industrial estates in the state. The entreprenuers setting up units in these estates would be entitled for the concessions offered for industrialists in the government sponsored estates, he said.

The government would soon bring a legislation to give statutory status for the existing 'single window clearance system', for clearing various formalities under a single roof for setting up industries, he said.

The state had over 5.6 lakh small and medium enterprises, with an investment of Rs.1936.40 crore and employing nearly 40 lakh persons, he said adding the new policy aimed at doubling it.

He said in a bid to provide cheaper industrial shed to entreprenuers in the city, multi-storied estates would be established at Guindy, Ambattur and Tirumazhisai.