In a first of its kind initiative in Tamil Nadu, the state government on Monday announced that it will constitute an expert committee to promote the animation and gaming industry in a big way.

According to sources, this initiative will make Tamil Nadu a lucrative outsourcing destination as well as attract venture capital funding for new entrants in the sector.

The neighbouring Karnataka is first in the country to have a separate policy on animation, visual effects, gaming and comics industry,Winding up the debate on the demand for grants for his department in the Assembly, information technology minister Mukkur N. Subramanian said the government has decided to constitute an expert panel to promote the animation and gaming industry, which was on higher growth trajectory.

“Tamil Nadu is among the top states leading in multimedia and gaming sector. To foster further growth, the chief minister has ordered the setting up of an expert panel,” he said.

The committee will prepare a blueprint and submit its recommendations to the government, he added. Also, all government departments will be equipped to switch over to the internet protocol version- 6.

E-learning content for government employees would be launched to improve computer skills of government employees.

Tree restocking for cyclone-hit areas in state

The state government has proposed to take up replanting in the cyclone Thane-hit areas of Cuddalore and Villupuram districts, state forest minister K.T. Pachaimal has said.

He told the Assembly that the cyclone affected areas would be restocked with tree species like teak, casuarinas, eucalyptus, etc.

Large number of trees have been uprooted by the cyclone and the move to raise the green cover would help to make up for the loss of trees.

Both Cuddalore and Villupuram districts suffered extensive damage of tree assets created along the river / canal banks and on the coastal belts by the forest department.

He said the government has approved the setting up of a conservation authority of Pallikaranai marshland. Financial sanction for Rs 5. 17 crore to take up the restoration work during this fiscal has already been given, he added.

TN on track to become top investment destination

Chief minister Jayalalithaa on Monday said her government has signed an agreement with Hinduja Group flagship Ashok Leyland and Japanese-auto major Nissan for setting up a Rs 4,150 crore light commercial vehicle manufacturing plant here.

“Though the two companies had signed an agreement with the previous government in 2008 for the project, it did not take off as the previous government did not allot the land on time. The land was allotted only in February 2011,” she said.

She also said Japan-based two-wheeler maker Yamaha has proposed to make an investment of Rs 1,500 crore to set up its manufacturing unit in Vallam Vadakaal Sipcot in Kancheepuram.

She said besides creating a direct employment for 3,000 persons through these opportunities, an additional 20,000 indirect employments would be created.

The state government also signed a MoU with manufacturers of Royal Enfield motorcycles, Eicher Motors Ltd, for setting up a new plant at Sipcot Industrial Park in Oragadam at an investment of Rs 350 crore.

The government has allotted 50-acre land for it, the chief minister said, adding, it would create 300 new jobs.

Industrialist R. P. Goenka promoted Philips Carbon Black Ltd has signed an agreement with the government for setting up a manufacturing plant to produce carbon black at an investment of Rs 350 crore in Thervoykandigai Sipcot industrial park, she said, adding that it would provide employment for 230 persons.

Ms Jayalalithaa said that the government headed by her had been taking steps to develop infrastructure facilities in the state to attract more investment.

“ The Vision 2023 document has been prepared to ensure that the growth rate of the state is 20 per cent more than that of the country. It is our ambition that the state should emerge as one of the top three attractive investment destinations in Asia,” she said.

In order to achieve such a growth rate, it is necessary to ensure adequate electricity supply. “Hence, Gail and Tidco signed an agreement in my presence on May 10 for laying gas pipeline and gas based power generation project,” she said.