CHENNAI: Union Minister for IT and Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday said two large electronics manufacturing services (EMS) clusters would be set up at Pillaipakkam and Manalur at an investment of Rs 1,112 crore.
In fact, when PM Narendra Modi took charge, electronics manufacturing was at a nascent stage. "Today, it is the second largest export item in the country, overtaking many of the conventional industries," Vaishnaw said in his address as chief guest at the inauguration of the Zetwerk manufacturing facility on 15 acres here.
This growth has been possible due to clear thinking and focused execution, Vaishnaw said.
Thanking all the states for their efforts, the minister said the growth of sectors such as electronics, telecom, and railways, must be kept out of politics as the intent is to benefit people.
The state and the Centre must work in tandem to achieve success, the minister said, adding TN's railway budget has increased substantially to Rs 6,000 crore plus compared to the miniscule allotment during the UPA regime.
"Flyovers, underpasses, railway lines, etc., get done with constant follow-ups," Vaishnaw said.
He noted that if the state took one step, the central government would match it by many strides.
Vaishnaw also called for focus on a design economy.
Earlier, in his address, TN Industry minister TRB Rajaa said the state is among the hardware hubs of India backed by a great talent pool and skill sets. "TN manufactures for India, showcases for the world," he said, adding the southern state has laid the foundation for India's manufacturing story as it had built its talent base a century ago.
He lauded Vaishnaw for portraying India as a unified front at the latest Davos World Economic Forum, unlike in the past, when each state would put up its own pavilion to attract investments.
According to Rajaa, TN will easily go past the $13-billion target this year in electronics manufacturing, having already breached $11.5 billion in March.