Tamilnadu Chamber of Commerce & Industry

HIGHLIGHTS
a) Effective delegations to Delhi and Chennai :
Almost every year Chamber delegation used to visit New Delhi & discuss about the prebudget memoranda with the Union Finance Minister and Railway Minister. They also used to meet Prime Minister and other Ministers & officials to represent matters concerning their departments and to get necessary industrial infrastructural facilities for Tamilnadu especially for southern districts. Similarly Chamber delegation used to visit Chennai very often to meet the Chief Minister and other Ministers & Officials to discuss about the prebudget memorandum and other demands pertaining to Trade and Industry and general public.
Chamber President Thiru. S.Rethinavelu met Hon'ble Prime Minister of India Shri. Atal Behari Vajpayee during his visit to Madurai on 05-07-2000 and presented Memorandum. A Delegation led by Chamber President Thiru. S.Rethinavelu met the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamilnadu Dr. J.Jayalithaa at Fort St. George, Chennai on 22nd March 2002 and submitted a detailed Pre-budget Memorandum containing several suggestions for the overall development of Tamilnadu.
Chamber Delegation led by President Thiru. S.Rethinavelu deposed with constructive suggestions before Tax Reforms and Revenue Augmentation Commission under the Chairmanship of Dr.Raja J.Chelliah during its sitting at Madurai on 06-11-2002 and also at the Office of the Commission at Chennai on 03-12-2002.
Chamber's constructive representations and direct parleys with the Central and State Governments have resulted in many concessions being granted and demands conceded by them in Direct Taxes, Central Excise and Commercial Taxes.
Recently a delegation of office bearers of our Chamber led by President Thiur. S.Rethinavelu visisted New Delhi and met Union Finance Minister Shri Jaswant Singh, Railway Minister Shri Nitish Mumar, Railway Minister of State Shri. A.K.Moorthy, Civil Aviation Minister Shri Syed Shah Nawaz Hussain, Minister for Food Processing Industry Shri N.T.Shanmugam, Chairman of Task Force on Direct and Indirect Taxes Dr. Vijay Kelkar and Mr. K.Ramalingam, Member, Airport Authority (Planning) on 12th and 13th December 2002 had detailed discussions and presented memoranda.
b) Trade delegation to Sri Lanka, Maldives, China and Hongkong:
For the first time in the history of Tamilnadu Chamber of Commerce & Industry, a 17 member Trade delegation from Chamber led by its President Mr. S.Rethinavelu visited Sri Lanka and Maldives from 1st to 8th June 1999. The delegation had highly fruitful discussions with Sri Lankan Ministers and Officials and members of leading chambers of Commerce in Sri Lanka for improving bilateral trade between India and Sri Lanka. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed with Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry of Sri Lanka. Chamber also participated in the South India Trade Exhibition' 99 (SITE' 99) held at Colombo between where products from various South Indian Companies were received and negotiations concluded.
A 32 member delegation from Chamber, led by its President Mr. S. Rethinavelu visited China, the first such delegation from Tamilnadu and met the Indian Ambassador, Consul General, Chinese Industrialists and businessmen, office bearers and members of Trade and Industrial Associations in china and had detailed discussions with them. The delegation also visited a number of industrial establishments in china and the mega Chinese Export Commodities Fair (4000 stalls) at Guangzhou and had detailed study of their economic and industrial policies, trade and industrial cultures and also their labour productivity, labour welfare legislations and how they were able to produce quality goods at low production cost. Memorandums of Understanding (M.O.U) were signed at Beijing, Guangzhou and Hongkong by the Chamber and china Council for the Promotion of International Trade and various Chambers of Commerce to promoted trade and industrial relationship between India and China. Our President Mr. S. Rethinavelu addressed the industrialists of China at Beijing, Shanghai & Guangzhou and also at Hongkong. Plans are afloat to take many more such trade delegations from the Chamber to other foreign countries to boost our exim trade. In this 80th year of our chamber a delication from the chamber will be visiting Mauritius, South Africa, Mozambique and Dubai.
c) Prestigious Chamber Trade Fair :
In order to give fillip to industrial and business development of Madurai and other southern districts the Chamber has been successfully organising Industrial-cum-Trade Fair every year since 1997-98. The Chamber Trade Fair 2003 was visited by more than 5 lakh people.
d) Airport and Broad Gauge Railway Line Link to Southern Tamilnadu :
The Chamber was primarily responsible for the establishment of an Airport at Madurai. Chamber has been insisting with Union Civil Aviation Ministry and Airport Authority of India for expansion and modern National Airport in order to speed up industrialisation of Madurai and other southern districts and boost exports from this area. Rs.35 crore plan and already been drawn up by the Central Government for expansion and modernisation of Madurai Airport. Chamber delegation led by President Thiru S. Rethinavelu met Union Minister of Civil Aviation at New Delhi on 13th December 2002 and had detailed discussion and submitted a memorandum in this regard. The chamber organised and convened several Seminars, Conferences and Bandh & fasting also at Madurai mainly to focus the attention of Central Government and Railway Administration alike on the urgent need for linking Karur with Tuticorin via - Madurai by Broad Gauge, particulary during 1970s.
This Broad Gauge project, which was closed as economically not viable, was taken again for re-survey only on the pursuance of our Chamber's delegation to the Prime Minister Shri Morarji Desai in the year 1978. To press our claim and enlighten the politicians, a meeting of all Members of Parliament belonging to Tamilnadu was arranged at New Delhi on 22.11.1978. Chamber was instrumental for the completion of the said Broad Gauge Project.
Our Chamber organised a meeting of the Members of parliament belonging to Tamilnadu at New Delhi on 15.12.1994. Where in various important Railway projects required for Tamilnadu and contained in the memorandum prepared by our Chamber, were discussed in detail and all the Members of Parliament who participated in the meeting, irrespective of their party affiliations, promised to unitedly raise their voice in parliament, as well as with the Railway Minister for the early implementation of those project. The said meeting resulted in the introduction of Nagercoil-Madurai-Mumbai express and Madurai New Delhi-Jammu Tawi slip coaches.
Due to the sustained efforts taken by the chamber for the benefit of passengers hailing from northern side of Madurai, Koodal Nagar Station near Madurai has now been converted as an Express Trains Stoppage Station. The second B.G. line between Madurai and Dindigul has been taken for implementation.
Now our Chamber is persuading the following important projects: 1. Madurai - Chennai Double Broad Gauge Line 2. Madurai - Kottayam Broad Gauge Line 3. Dindigul - Sabarimalai Broad Gauge Line 4. Dindigul - Coimbatore Broad Gauge Line 5. Extension of existing trains to Madurai & down South from North Indian staions to get direct services to Ahamadabad, Hyderabad etc. 6. Madurai - Chennai Jana Sathapthi Express
e) High Court Bench at Madurai :
The Chamber's deposition before the jaswant Singh Commission was primarily responsible for the recommendation by the Committee for extablishing a High Court Bench at Madurai. Chamber also organised fasting and a highly successful Bandh in the southern districts of the State to impress upon the State Government to take immediate action in this regard. Due to the sustained efforts taken by the Chamber and Madurai Bar Association, construction of the buildings for the High Court Bench was inaugurated in the year 2000. Now the construction work is almost over and the High Court Bench at Ulaganeri near Madurai is ready for inauguration at any time.
f) Inland Container Depot for Madurai :
Chamber's persistant efforts proved to be fruitful in getting one more infrastructure for Madurai viz. Inland Container Depot. President Mr. S. Rethinavelu flagged off the first container in the inaugural function held on 3.3.99. It is a boon for the Exim Trade. The Chamber has left no stone unturned for the successful functioning of Madurai Inland Container Depot.
g) Stimulating industrial growth of Southern Districts :
Chamber has been taking sustained efforts for the development of sufficient infrastructural facilities and establishment of heavy industries in the Southern districts of TN which lag behind other areas in the State in industrial development.

Welfare : Public Welfare Activities :
Chamber's might towards Kargil Relief Fund and Gujarat Earthquake Relief Fund and Chief Minister's Temple Annadhanam Scheme .
The Chamber sold tickets to the tune of Rs. 25,40,900/- for the Mega Star Nite organised by the Corporate & Business Community, Cine Field and Cricket fraternity and held at Madurai on 11th July 99 to raise funds for Kargil Relief Fund to provide succout to the families of soldiers who lost their lives and were disabled while fighting in Kargil area in out northern border to drive out extremists, Pakistani army men and mercenaries who had intruded into the Indian territory.
Chamber donated a sum of Rs. 3,92,929/- to Mata Amirtanandamayi Charitable Trust to Construct houses for those homeless affected byo Gujarat Earthquake on 26th January 2001.
Chamber donated Rs. 18 lakhs to the Hon'ble Chief Minister Dr. Jayalalithaa towards Tamilnadu Chief Minister's Temple Annadhanam Scheme.
Formation of Ulavar Sandhai (Farmer's Market) in Tamilnadu Idea originated from Chamber :
Former Chief Minister of Tamilnadu Dr. Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi during his speech in the Platinum Jubilee Celebration of the Chamber on 14th November 1999 had no hesitation to admit that formation of "Ulavar Sandhai" at various places in the State to facilitate farmers to sell their products directly to general public without any middlemen was based only on the suggestion put-forward by the Chamber President Mr. S. Rethinavelu during pre-budget consultation meeting held at the Secretariat. The first "Ulavar Sandhai" was inaugurated at Madurai on the same day of our Platinum Jubilee Auditorium Inauguration.
Chamber's assistance to government for successful implementation of Public Welfare Schemes :
Chamber has been extending its unstinted co-operation and support to the State and Central Governments for successful implementation of various Public Welfare Schemes. Particular mention should be made to the assistance rendered by the Chamber for the "Vaigai River Development Scheme" for cleaning and levelling the surface and laying roads along the embankments of the river on both sides within the city limits at a cost of Rs. 8 crores under "Namakku Namae" Scheme. Chamber President Thir S. Rethinavelu was nominated as Treasurer for the scheme. So far, we have collected and remitted a sum of Rs. 1,09,91,826/- out of the public contribution of Rs. 2crores.
Union Urban Development Minister Mr. Jagmohan and Environment and Forest Minister Mr. T.R. Baalu visited Madurai on 12th and 13th October 2000 and sanctioned a Central Project to clean and develop Vaigai River by putting drainage throughout the City at an estimated cost of Rs. 150 Crores.
Chamber was also mainly instrumental for the overwhelming response from the business community in Madurai for "Namakku Namae" (self help) Scheme under which a number of proposals were implimented for the beautification of Madurai City with well-laid raised concrete platforms and attractive and eye catching fountains, Cement roads, Basket Ball Court etc., by raising funds to the extent of Rs. 50 lakhs, which enabled the projects to be completed at a cost of Rs. 2 crores.
Agitations by the Chamber-to cite a few :
a) Ever since its inception, the Chamber has always been in the forefront, recentlessly pursuing the cause of Trade and Industry. The Chamber spearheaded a massive movement of trading community against the imposition of the dreaded Entry Tax in Tamilnadu in March 1983. A three day Statewide-hartal and fasting of hundreds of Traders were organised. Many Trade leaders including some office-bearers of the Chamber were arrested and imprisoned. Shri Rajiv Gandhi addressed the rally at Chennai. The levy of Entry Tax was subsequently withdrawn by the Tamilnadu Government.
b) Mention should be made about the steps taken by our Chamber in 1993 for voicing an unified protest of all concerned against the implementation of the New Profession Tax Act in Tamilnadu and levying Profession Tax on the basis of turnover. A very big Trade conference, presided over by Thiru S. Rethinavelu, was organised at Chennai Congress Grounds on 17.2.93 and a massive rally was also taken out on the day. The said conference was a record show of strength by the trade as the very big Congres grounds was not spacious enough to accommodate several lakhs traders who turned out for the conference.
In 1994, the Chamber had taken a very active part in the movement of the business community in Tamilnadu against the implementation of the highly inflated New Profession Tax, cumbersome double point taxation, withdrawal of sales tax on hotel foods and other problems severely affecting the Trade and Industry. To highlight these problems, a Three-day Bandh was observed throughout Tamilnadu on November 29, 30 and December 1, 1994. The Three-day Bandh was a total success. It was an historical event. Subsequently few amendments were made in the said Act.
The chamber President Mr. S. Rethinavelu was nominated as a member of the Committee formed in the year 1998 by the subsquent Government to review the New Profession Tax Act and recommend modifications to be made in the said Act. The report of the Committee was accepted by the then Chief Minister Dr. Kalaingar M. Karunanidhi and the New Profession Tax Act was withdrawn and a new Act was introduced to levy Profession Tax on the basis of Income at a reasonable rate.
c) The Chamber also has successfully organised a State wide Two-days Hartal on 2nd and 3rd December '97 to manifest the uniform protest of Trade and Industry over the controversial levy of Service Tax by the Central Government on freight charges paid by the consignors and consignees for transport of goods by road. Our Chamber was the first organisation in the country to get an Interim Stay Order from Chennai High Court against this levy. Subsequently the levy was withdrawn.
d) A state level 24 hours Bandh and 8 hours fasting was organised throughout Tamilnadu on 13th August 2002 to manifest our deep resentment and protest against the levy of multi-point tax (resale tax) and re-introduction of sales tax on rice, grams and pulses & Edible Oil emphasizing their immediate withdrawal. Now the State Government have withdrawn the Sales Tax on rice only.
Recognition by Central & Tamilnadu Governments :
The Chamber has been given representations in various important Advisory Committees of Central and Tamilnadu Governments. In due recognition of the yeomen services rendered by the Chamber to the Trade and Industry, the Tamilnadu & Union Govts. had given representation to the President Mr. S. Rethinavelu in the Sales Tax Reforms Committee formed in September 1996, in the Profession Tax Review Committee in 1998, as well as in the Committee to review Market Committee Cess in 1999 and in Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), by the Ministry of Trade and Industry, New Delhi in 2000. Chamber representatives have participated in several important conferences, seminars and meetings at State, regional and national levels. Our Chamber representative is continuously serving as a member in the Traders Welfare Board.
Representation has also been given to our Chamber in Public Grievance Committee and Regional Advisory Committees for Organised sector, Small Scale Sector and Service Tax of the Madurai Central Excise Commissionerate, Zonal Railway Users' Consultative Committee, Madurai Divisional and Railway Station Users' Consultative Committees, the State Level Sales Tax Advisory Committee, Madurai District Sales Tax Advisory Committee, Minimum Wages (State Advisory Board) and various other Committees/Boards as and when constituted/reconstituted.
The Chamber issues Certificate of Origin to exporters in respect of goods exported from India. It is one among a few important Chambers of Commerce in the country authorized by the Government of India for this purpose.
Representation in the Executive Committee of FICCI & SICCI:
For the first time Tamilnadu Chamber of Commerce has been honoured by the co-option of its President in the Executive Committee of FICCI, New Delhi. Thiru A.C.Muthiah, Chairman of SPIC and a life member of our Chamber, has taken charge as the Platinum Jubilee President of FICCI for the year 2002-2003. He has Co-opted our Platinum Jubilee President Thiru S. Rethinavelu in the Executive Committee of FICCI. Our Secretary Thiru S.P. Jeyapragasam is serving as an E.C. Member of Southern India Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SICCI), Chennai.
Inauguration of the 80th year of our chamber :
80th Year Inauguration of our Chamber was celebrated on 27-09-2003 in a grandiose manner. Shri A.K. Moorthy, Hon'ble Minister of State for Railways participated as Chief Guest and Inaugurated the 80th year of our Chamber. A special Logo for the 80th year was also launched by him. Conclusion : Chamber will forever continue to render unstined services for the accelerated development of the Trade and Industry and for their export promotion activities and also engage itself in useful public welfare schemes. Chamber ardently believes that its vision of making Trade and Industry, in our country in general and in Tamilnadu in particular, fully compatible to the new environment under globalisation will be realised within the time frame.