Chennai, July 19 (IANS) PMK president Dr Anbumani Ramadoss has accused officials and sections of the industry of attempting to undermine the Tamil Nadu government’s election promise of encouraging private companies to recruit more local youth.
He warned that any move to weaken the commitment would amount to a betrayal of the principles of social justice.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Anbumani referred to media reports claiming that officials have begun consultations on framing a new industrial policy for Tamil Nadu.
According to reports, some officials and representatives of private industry have opposed proposals aimed at ensuring greater employment opportunities for Tamil Nadu’s youth in private companies and commercial establishments. If those reports are accurate, Anbumani said, such opposition would be deeply disappointing and contrary to the state’s long-standing commitment to social justice and inclusive development.
He argued that industrial growth must go hand in hand with employment opportunities for local residents, particularly educated young people seeking jobs within the state.
The PMK leader also recalled the election promise made by the ruling TDP government before assuming office in Tamil Nadu. The party’s manifesto had pledged to provide incentives to private companies that employed a high proportion of local youth.
Under the proposal, companies with a workforce comprising at least 75 per cent Tamil Nadu youth would be eligible for a 2.5 per cent GST subsidy and a five per cent subsidy on electricity charges.
Anbumani said the government had a responsibility to implement that promise without delay. Instead of honouring the commitment, he alleged, there appeared to be an organised attempt to block the initiative even before it could be put into effect.
He further claimed that certain officials and investors were working together to prevent the policy from taking shape, despite the government’s public assurance during the election campaign. Such efforts, he said, would deny employment opportunities to thousands of qualified young people in the state.
Emphasising that job creation for local youth should remain a priority, the PMK leader urged the government not to yield to pressure from vested interests.
He called on the administration to frame the new industrial policy in a manner that safeguards the interests of Tamil Nadu’s workforce while continuing to attract investments and industrial growth.
Anbumani reiterated that economic development and social justice should complement each other, and insisted that the government fulfil its electoral promise by encouraging greater recruitment of Tamil Nadu youth in the private sector.
–IANS
aal/dpb