Produce ink for currency notes in Gujarat: Modi

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi asked the chemical industry in the state to take up the challenge of manufacturing ink used for printing currency notes today at IndiaChem Gujarat 2009, an International Exhibition and Conference on Fine, Specialty Chemicals, Agro Chemicals and Colorants Industry to understand issues & developments concerning the industry and also to provide a platform for networking and business promotion in the State of Gujarat organized by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) along with Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Government of India, Government of Gujarat and iNDEXTb.

Modi said at present India imports ink worth about Rs 300 crore annually for currency notes.

“Gujarat has a very strong base of chemical industry, which manufactures chemicals and allied products for domestic as well as export markets,” he said, adding, “why can not you take up the challenge of producing high grade ink for currency notes so that the country does not have to import the same?”

Modi also asked the industry to focus on research and development activities in the chemical sector and make the state a hub for Research and Development (R&D).

Besides this, Modi said the chemical industry, which is considered hazardous in nature and increases pollution, should adopt clean technology and practices so that no damage is caused to the environment.

Alagiri continues to be elusive

Shri. M.K. Alagiri, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizer was Chief Guest of the inauguration function of IndiaChem but he didn’t turn up at the event. Alagiri who can not speak either English or Hindi does not attend parliament sessions also demanding that he should be allowed to speak in Tamil in the parliament. It should be mentioned that the Indian parliament does not recognize any other language than Hindi and English.