No closure of steel plant, OCF: Minister

Tamil Development Minister K Pandiarajan, who was elected from Avadi, assured that the OCF will not be shut. Both replied after AP Nandakumar, DMK, MLA, during the debate on demands for grants for Backward classes, Most Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare Department, questioned about the closure of these industries.

Nandakumar said, “Speculation is rife that the Salem Steel Plant and Ordinance Clothing Factory will soon be closed by the Union government and it has instilled a sense of fear among the employees.”

Intervening, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami said, “Our Deputy Lok Sabha Speaker has taken up this issue in the Parliament to attract the Centre’s attention. Even I have written a letter to the Prime Minister requesting the Centre not to close the plant. So, there is no need for panic.”

“Even we have spoken to Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman over this issue and she has given a written statement that OCF will not be shut,” the Pandiarajan noted.