Tamil Nadu asks Modi to retain govt press in Coimbatore

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami on Friday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to retain the Government of India Presses (GIP) in Coimbatore.

Palaniswami drew Modi's attention to his earlier letter to minister of state for housing & urban affairs regarding the rationalisation/merger of GIP and the consequent closure of other presses.

The chief minister stated: "It is understood that the rationalisation/merger of GIPs and their modernisation has been approved by the Cabinet and this would mean that the GIP located at Coimbatore would be closed."

"Coimbatore GIP has job orders for next four years, skilled labour and land measuring 132.7 acres," he said, adding, "hence, it would be appropriate to retain the GIP at Coimbatore by merging the presses in Karnataka and Kerala into the one at Coimbatore, which would ensure continued presence of a GIP in South India".

Palaniwami requested Modi for his intervention by suitably instructing the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.