The Hindu Business Line : CII-TN to push for shift to VAT

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) - Tamil Nadu will push for introduction of value added tax (VAT), infrastructure development and doing away with additional taxes that introduce an anomaly between imported and locally manufactured goods, according to the Chairman, CII-Tamil Nadu, Mr Sanjay Jayavarthanavelu.

At a press meet to highlight the industry association's agenda for the year, he said that it would take up with the State Government the issue of shifting to VAT.

The theme of its programme for 2006-07 is `innovate to compete,' he said. Over the years CII has focused on scaling up size, productivity and quality. It is now time to innovate to achieve `breakthrough' results.

Skill upgradation

According to Mr Jayavarthanavelu, innovation cannot happen in isolation, there is need to create an environment that will foster it. Unleashing creativity calls for skill upgradation, strategy to achieve the transition and introducing best global practices.

A recent survey by CII to map the skills in Tamil Nadu showed that there is a gap between what the industries want and what is `available out there in quality and quantity.' CII will promote skill development initiatives and work with educational institutions. CII-TN plans to promote establishment centres of regional innovation, he said.

SPEED programme

It is looking at regional development in the State through the programme, Southern Prosperity through Enhanced Economic Development (SPEED). The programme focuses on development utilising the regions' natural strengths to attract investments. The Tuticorin port could be developed as a second hub; Tiruchi could be a location for a fabrication SEZ, the airport could be expanded and ring roads developed; and Madurai and Coimbatore could attract investments in information technology, Mr Jayavarthanavelu said.

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