Chennai: Keeping in mind the need for long-term
development and integrated management, the government will
come out with a Tamil Nadu Minerals Policy this year, Deputy
Chief Minister MK Stalin informed the state Assembly today.
Replying to the debate on the grants for his department,
Stalin, who holds the Industries portfolio, said there
was also need for scientific ways of mining.
``A new Tamil Nadu Minerals Policy will be released this
year (2010-11), incorporating factors such as long-term
development, ecological impact and optimal utilisation of
resources among others,`` he said.
Among other announcements for 2010-11, he announced
setting up a Rs 10,000 crore Liquefied Natural Gas storage
unit jointly with IOCL near Ennore.Tamil Nadu Industrial
Development Corporation will take steps to set up a power
plant besides other infrastructure, he said.
He said a mega Chennai Sports City on the Rajiv Gandhi
Salai or IT Corridor will be established on 1500 acres, which
would have coaching and multi-utility facilities. This was
part of increasing internal infrastructure on the IT
Corridor, he added.
Earlier, replying to members, who participated in the
discussion, Stalin said the state had attracted foreign
investments over Rs 46,000 crore since 2006. He denied any
``forcible acquisition`` of land for industrialisation
purposes and said cultivable land was not being acquired for
industrial purposes.
Efforts by the ruling DMK had even benefitted the backward
southern districts, with companies including Videocon setting
up a unit in Sivaganga, he added.
-PTI
