TVK Ranipet MLA wants non-existent factory shutdown, draws criticism on social media

A company that did not exist in the region came under fire in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Thursday, with Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) Ranipet MLA I. Thahira demanding its closure, alleging that it was causing severe pollution in her constituency. She mentioned that JK Tyres had been polluting the region. “In our regime, we should shut down that company,” she said. She also said that people in the area had staged protests, but no action had been taken.

The issue took an interesting turn when Environment and Climate Change Minister V.K. Rajeev immediately responded in the House, asking the Ranipet MLA to share the details and assuring her that he would ask officials to inspect the matter immediately.

JK Tyre has only one manufacturing plant in Tamil Nadu, located in Sriperumbudur.

Tamil Nadu’s Former Industries Minister T.R.B Rajaa immediately took to social media and posted a comment on X saying: “And now this TVK MLA wants to Shut down @JKTyreCorporate. WHAT is wrong with these people ! If there is pollution issues then take action and rectify it! Calling for an outright shutdown is madness and sends out a very poor signal to #Industry circles!” “Am absolutely distraught at the way our #TamilNadu’s professional stature is being sullied and squandered by such immatured senseless statements,” he added.

Mr. Rajaa in a second post mentioned: “I did a small search on the JkTyre company that the TVK MLA asked to be shutdown. I know there is one factory in Kanchipuram District but did not know there was one in Ranipet District. So we did a search for major subsidiaries which could be manufacturing for @JKTyreCorporate but still couldn’t find anything big and polluting. Then I found out why I did not know about the “JKTyre company” near Ranipet. Because…the TVK MLA is said to have called a tyre retreading outlet as “JKTyre Company” Now, one thing is clear one should not take anything said by the TVK MLAs as hard facts just like their reels. But, Wonder why their own govt acknowledged it and even defended it.” “For them a retail retreading shop seems to be a polluting industry worthy of a question raised in the assembly, instead of asking the local authorities to take action. Is this the kind of “industry” they are going after!” he added.

Later in the evening, Tamil Nadu’s Industries Minister S. Keerthana took to X and posted: A reference was made in the Assembly today to a JK Tyre unit in Ranipet. On verification, JK Tyre does not have a manufacturing facility in Ranipet. The environmental issue raised by the Hon’ble Member will, however, be looked into to identify the concerned non-JK tyre unit and appropriate action will be taken wherever required.” “My response in the House was on a larger and important principle, Tamil Nadu needs industries and jobs, but growth cannot come at the cost of environmental compliance. Both have to go together. JK Tyre has also clarified that its operations are in compliance with all applicable statutory environmental clearances and regulatory requirements. It is also important to place on record that JK Tyre recently reaffirmed its confidence in Tamil Nadu by signing an MoU with Guidance Tamil Nadu at the VETTRI Tamil Nadu Investment Conclave for an investment of ₹5,143 crore, with the potential to create 3,510 employment opportunities,” she had mentioned in her post.

JK Tyre issued an official statement in which it said: “With reference to recent comments on our operations in the State, we categorically state that our plant is fully compliant with respect to statutory approvals as on date and will remain so in the future as well. We have not committed any violation of any kind as the health and safety of the communities around our Tamil Nadu facility are central to how we run it. JK Tyre & Industries will continue to meet the highest environmental and manufacturing standards at the plant.”