Daijiworld Media Network - Chennai

Chennai, Mar 23: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has highlighted Tamil Nadu’s significant gains under the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, making it one of the biggest beneficiaries in the country.

Addressing an event organized by the Chennai Citizens' Forum, FM Sitharaman dismissed allegations that the Central government had overlooked Tamil Nadu in terms of financial support. She emphasized that numerous key projects had been sanctioned and were in various stages of development across the state.

Tamil Nadu has emerged as a frontrunner under the PLI scheme, particularly in electronics, electronic components, and automobile manufacturing. According to Sitharaman, Tamil Nadu has secured the highest number of approvals in these sectors. She noted that out of the 27 companies receiving PLI approval nationwide, seven are based in Tamil Nadu, accounting for nearly 25% of the total beneficiaries under the scheme.

The Finance Minister also pointed out that Tamil Nadu hosts one of India’s two major electronic parts manufacturing clusters, with the other situated in Gujarat. To boost this sector, the Centre has earmarked Rs 1,100 crore for setting up the cluster in the state.

In a recent development, Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, visited Zetwerk near Chennai and announced the establishment of two electronic parts manufacturing clusters valued at Rs 1,112 crore near the city.

Tamil Nadu is also a major recipient of PLI incentives in the automobile and auto component sectors. Of the 82 approved applications under the scheme for this industry, 46 belong to Tamil Nadu. Furthermore, the state has secured approvals for four companies under the PLI scheme for advanced chemistry cell battery manufacturing.

In the renewable energy sector, the Centre has sanctioned Rs 7,453 crore through the Viability Gap Funding Scheme to support offshore wind energy projects in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. Additionally, the country's first Green Hydrogen Hub Port is set to be established at Tuticorin with Central government backing.

Highlighting infrastructure development, FM Sitharaman announced that approximately 1,303 kilometers of new railway lines have been added in Tamil Nadu, further strengthening the state's connectivity and industrial growth.

With continued government support, Tamil Nadu is positioned to leverage these incentives for economic growth, reinforcing its status as a key industrial and manufacturing hub in India.