The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : State assistance to Tirupur units crucial, says BJP

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jul 22, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

State assistance to Tirupur units crucial, says BJP

Special Correspondent

Release subsidy for RO units, party urges government "If the State Government provides 25 per cent subsidy of the cost of installation of reverse osmosis plants, the Centre will give 25 per cent grant."

CHENNAI: : The Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday urged the State Government to come to the rescue of the bleaching and dyeing units in Tirupur whose closure has been ordered by the Madras High Court.

"As the Central subsidy scheme falls under the matching grant system, the State Government should take the initiative of releasing its subsidy first. If the State Government provides subsidy to the extent of 25 per cent of the cost of installation of reverse osmosis plants, the Centre too will give 25 per cent grant," C. P. Radhakrishnan, State president, told presspersons here, adding that the remaining portion of the cost would be borne by the units.

Environmental awareness

With the increasing levels of environmental awareness, it had become inevitable for the units to employ eco-friendly measures. So, the industry did not have any second thoughts on establishing RO plants. But, as the cost was high, the assistance from the Central and State Government became crucial.

Criticising the constituents of the Democratic Progressive Alliance for their approach to the Cauvery issue, he said "it is very strange for those who are sharing power and those who are in a position to influence the decisions of the Central Government to stage demonstrations and hold agitations. Are they not making a mockery of democracy?"

He also asked what steps were taken by the Central Government to resolve the problem. "Why has the Prime Minister not convened a meeting of the Cauvery River Authority though several months had lapsed since the Authority met last? He could have called a meeting of Chief Ministers of all the basin States and found a solution. One can understand the delicate situation of the Centre if the Karnataka Government is headed by a party other than the one, which is in power in Delhi. But, it is not so. Still, the Union Government has not taken any efforts," Mr. Radhakrishnan said.

He found no reason to criticise the ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in organising demonstrations on the Cauvery issue because the Union Government was according a "step-motherly treatment" to Tamil Nadu.

At the same time, the BJP leader said, the ruling party should convene an all-party meeting and find a consensus among all the parties.

Demonstration

The BJP State unit, he said, would stage a demonstration and a fast at Thanjavur on July 30 to urge the Centre to impress upon the Karnataka Government the need to release Tamil Nadu's share of water.

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