Economic development with social justice is our goal: Stalin

Eight months after taking over as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, DMK President MK Stalin has set his priorities on attracting big-ticket investments while battling the global novel coronavirus pandemic. He is pushing for a ‘Dravidian model’ where economic growth is inclusive.

“Our goal is equitable economic growth that will be in line with social justice. It has taken root since the days of the Justice Party government. [in pre-Independent India], I have explained it as the Dravidian model,” said Mr. Stalin. Hindu In an interview at the launch of a special weekly segment ‘Tamil Nadu in Focus’ showcasing the history, culture, heritage and progress in key areas of the southern state.

Read also | We will not go back on promises: Stalin

10 year vision

First-time Chief Minister, who has gained rich experience as Administrator in his previous roles of Mayor, Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, is planning for the long term based on a 10-year vision, which he took in the run-up to Tiruchi. was unveiled. Till the last assembly election.

“I had requested the people to give next 10 years to the DMK to save the state, which was lagging behind during the AIADMK rule,” he said. They have given us the first five years. As per the seven promises made in Tiruchi, we are focusing on economy, agriculture, water resources, education-cum-health, urban development, rural infrastructure and social justice. Another five-year term in 2026.

Stalin said that big industrialists in India and global investors now feel that Tamil Nadu has a favorable investment climate. Such confidence by the industry had helped the government take income-generating measures amid the pandemic without impacting the economic infrastructure.

News Analysis | Can Stalin succeed where AIADMK failed?

Establishing a mission to make Tamil Nadu a trillion-dollar economy, the chief minister did not believe in holding a ostentatious global investor meet “for the hype done by the AIADMK government”. Instead, his government believed in providing infrastructure that instills confidence among investors with transparent governance and speedy approvals for projects. So far, in two events in Chennai and Coimbatore, 108 MoUs were signed for a cumulative investment of ₹63,716 crore to create 1,60,277 jobs.

Interview excerpts:

‘Our industrial policy opens doors for investors without knocking’

What is your vision for growth in the next five years? Are you planning to bring reforms in governance to ensure efficient delivery of services and benefits to the people?

Not just for five years. I had announced my vision for 10 years at Siruganoor in Tiruchi before the assembly elections. I requested the people to give next 10 years to DMK to save the state which was left behind during the AIADMK rule. They have given us the first five years. As per the seven promises made in Tiruchi, we are focusing on economy, agriculture, water resources, education-cum-health, urban development, rural infrastructure and social justice. The government is working with the objective of inclusion on the basis of integrated and sustainable development. We have corrected the administration in such a way that the government can reach the people. I have gained experience as MLA, Mayor, Minister of Local Administration and Industry and Deputy Chief Minister and I know the expectations and aspirations of the people. The government has ensured fast and transparent services according to the preferences of the people. The momentum will continue for five years in a consistent and prudent manner so that people come forward and hand us five more years.

For the first time, the Economic Advisory Council to the Chief Minister has been constituted. How has it helped you shape economic policies?

Our goal is equitable economic development commensurate with social justice, which took root during the Justice Party government. I call it the Dravidian model. We constituted an Economic Advisory Council comprising of internationally renowned economists, as there is a need to develop an economic development commensurate with the current situation. We are getting his advice for the sustainable development of Tamil Nadu. Whenever possible I take their opinion through webinars. We have divided our work into short term and long term, and traveled with the aim of improving the economy by implementing them within the time frame.

With the onset of the third wave of COVID-19, how are you planning to ensure that the economy survives and people’s livelihoods are not affected?

When we took over, the impact of the second wave was very severe. Steps to control this were started immediately and even before the formation of the government. Oxygen production and medical facilities increased. We have accelerated the integrated functioning of various departments. Vaccination was organized as a movement which produced desired results. Pre-existing arrangements are now easier to tackle the spread of the Omicron version of the novel coronavirus. Since the government is very specific that people’s livelihoods should not be affected, we distributed ₹4,000 during the second wave despite the severe economic crisis. Now we are distributing Pongal gift hampers. On the day I launched the Booster Vaccine Dose, I also inaugurated the convention of the Indian Science and Technology Entrepreneurs Parks and Business Incubators Association. We have divided investments into small and large and are creating infrastructure accordingly.

Big industrialists and global investors are in talks with us. He feels that Tamil Nadu has a favorable environment for investment. It helps us to take income-generating measures at the time of pandemic without impacting the economic infrastructure. We will also continue to pressurize the central government for Tamil Nadu’s share in the Goods and Services Tax.

Under the present circumstances, what would be the appropriate time period for the state to organize the next Global Investors Meet?

There is no need to organize a sham investor meet for the propaganda done by the AIADMK government. Investors expect infrastructure that inspires confidence, transparent governance and speedy approvals, and we are providing them now. When we announced the trillion dollar economy target for Tamil Nadu at the launch of the Investor Conference in Guindy, 49 projects worth Rs 28,508 crore were signed to create 83,482 jobs. At CODISSIA in Coimbatore, 59 MoUs were signed last month for projects worth Rs 35,208 to create 76,795 jobs. The foundation stone of 13 projects was laid on the same day. We have bagged projects with an investment of ₹13,413 crore to create 11,681 jobs. Fintech Policy 2021 for Industrial Development has been released. We have taken a leap through projects like building a financial city in Chennai, Neo-Tidale Park in tier II and III cities and a fully digitized Single Window Portal 2.0 to help investors.

There are complaints of anti-social elements harassing industrial units in Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu districts.

The Government is committed to maintain law and order without compromise and to ensure the safety of individuals, organizations and industrial peace. In the districts where more industries are located, immediate action is taken on complaints of anti-social elements. Senior officers and superintendents of police have already issued orders to ensure the safety of industries by taking immediate action on complaints against anti-social elements. The government is committed not only to the safety of the industries but also to the relations with the workers and their safety. Recently, when the workers of Foxconn unit protested, the Collector, Superintendent of Police, Industries Minister and Rural Industries Minister went to the spot and allayed their fear. We are also implementing visionary schemes for the workers.

It is believed that protests against industries and projects – for example, sterlite and hydrocarbon exploration – can affect the industrial climate. Your comments…

The policy of the government is to promote industrial development without affecting the environment and with whole hearted support of the people. People object to the industries which harm the environment because these industries also pose a threat to their health. As far as our government is concerned, we will not allow any such project which will mortgage people’s lives. Also, we will give approval to industries that will contribute to the economic development of Tamil Nadu and generate employment. We will encourage investment and the welfare and security of people without affecting each other.

What is your message to investors?

The industrial policy of the government is such that the doors will open for the investors without knocking. This is my introductory message to investors.

Tamil Nadu has earned a reputation for medical and engineering education, but lacks centers of excellence for the humanities and arts and sciences. Is there any proposal to set up such institutions?

Equal education is the core policy of DMK. Keeping in view the changing times, new courses will be introduced in schools and higher educational institutions. Computer education was introduced during KalaignarRule of. Visual communication courses were started in colleges. Now there is an awareness of social sciences, arts and literature. These are given special attention as these courses are linked to the distinct cultural identity of Tamil Nadu. Anna [former Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai] He said that the history of the Indian Union should be written from Tamil Nadu and this is also the policy of the DMK government. The new findings from the excavations of Keezhadi and Adichanallur have aroused the interest of the youth in art and literature. An education policy will be developed to encourage studies in epigraphy, archaeology, literature and anthropology. A decision will be taken at an appropriate time to start universities and educational institutions for this purpose.