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Time of India
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Tamil Nadu unveils ambitious roadmap to lead EV innovation
In a landmark move to accelerate its electric vehicle (EV) ambitions, the State Planning Commission (SPC) has released a comprehensive policy roadmap titled 'Tamil Nadu's Automotive Future', reports IANS. The blueprint, submitted to Chief Minister M.K. Stalin by Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and SPC Executive Chairman J. Jeyaranjan, charts a bold transformation of Tamil Nadu from a traditional auto-manufacturing hub into a global leader in sustainable mobility and deep-tech automotive innovation. From Manufacturing Base to Innovation Powerhouse The report underscores the need to evolve beyond legacy manufacturing into a centre for cutting-edge mobility solutions. The SPC has proposed the establishment of a Tamil Nadu Mobility Innovation Fund, designed to co-finance high-risk, high-reward R&D initiatives. These include emerging areas such as battery chemistry, hydrogen propulsion, EV operating systems, energy management software, and lightweight composite materials. New Mobility R&D Zones in Key EV Clusters To create a thriving ecosystem for automotive innovation, the Commission recommends setting up mobility R&D zones co-located with EV industry hubs in Chennai, Coimbatore, and Hosur. These zones would be equipped with shared infrastructure, including battery certification centres, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) labs, simulation environments, and vehicle testing tracks, to accelerate product development and validation. Academic-Industry Synergy and Startup Support Highlighting the critical role of academic collaboration, the SPC called for partnerships with institutions like IIT-Madras and Anna University. It also proposed fellowships and startup grants for innovators working on commercially viable mobility solutions. Startups and MSMEs would get plug-and-play access to public R&D labs and prototyping facilities, significantly lowering the entry barrier for early-stage tech ventures. Bridging the Talent Gap: Mobility Skills 2030 With over 1.5 lakh engineering graduates entering the workforce annually, the report flags the underrepresentation of this talent in core R&D roles. To address this, the Mobility Skills 2030 programme has been proposed. It aims to offer specialised training in EV powertrains, battery technologies, embedded systems, and logistics analytics, thereby aligning workforce capabilities with the demands of a future-ready mobility sector. Incentives for Regional Equity and Commercial EV Adoption To ensure balanced economic development, the roadmap advocates targeted incentives for firms setting up units in non-urban districts. The SPC also recommended accelerating deployment of public charging stations in highways, industrial zones, and urban centres to improve charging infrastructure. Time-bound incentives were proposed for commercial EVs, especially electric trucks and small commercial vehicles (e-SCVs), to boost fleet electrification. The report warned that without active government intervention, EV adoption in the heavy commercial vehicle segment may remain below 20% by 2030. Governance and Infrastructure: Laying the Foundation To steer implementation, the SPC has proposed the formation of a Mobility Innovation and Growth Council comprising stakeholders from government, industry, academia, and civil society. A statewide EV charging master plan has been called for, along with mandates for EV-ready building codes in urban planning, to ensure that long-term infrastructure is aligned with the needs of a rapidly electrifying mobility landscape. With this forward-looking roadmap, Tamil Nadu is positioning itself not just as India's EV capital, but as a global crucible for automotive innovation, sustainability, and inclusive economic growth.


Time of India
10-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Significant Rise in Shift to Non-Farm Sector Jobs in TN
1 2 Chennai: Tamil Nadu is seeing a significant shift from employment in the agriculture sector. A survey conducted between 2012 and 2024 revealed a decline in agricultural dependence and a rise in non-farm jobs due to increased access to higher education and the availability of non-farm employment. While 40% of the population relied on agriculture in 2012, this share dropped considerably. By 2024, it decreased by nearly 20%. In terms of gender distribution, 81% of men are engaged in non-agricultural work. For women, the corresponding figure is 71%. Villages selected for the study were chosen based on their rural non-farm employment rates. Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Tenkasi, and Virudhunagar reported relatively higher rates. In contrast, Thanjavur and Pudukottai showed lower rates of rural non-farm employment. The study found that agriculture was the primary occupation in only one village. This indicated that agriculture is no longer the sole occupation for households in rural Tamil Nadu. Non-agriculture is evolving beyond a peripheral activity. It is no longer considered a 'residual' activity, as some studies previously suggested. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Τι είναι το ChatGPT για το οποίο μιλάνε όλοι; courses AI Undo In 2012, 43% of workers were engaged in agricultural work. This figure sharply declined to 22% within a decade. Conversely, the percentage of workers engaged in non-agricultural work increased significantly, rising from 57% to 78% during the same period. Agriculture still provides livelihood for many rural workers, but the shift towards secondary and tertiary sectors is accelerating over the years. Younger workers, aged 15–34, are increasingly transitioning away from agriculture and seeking opportunities in non-farm jobs. Construction is a dominant sector for male workers. Manufacturing remains a significant non-agricultural activity for female workers. This trend is consistent across all age groups. The average annual earning of a non-agricultural labourer is estimated to be Rs 1.39 lakh. In comparison, an agricultural labourer earns an average of Rs 37,577. A self-employed worker in agriculture earns approximately Rs 99,400 annually. The report highlighted disparities in earnings based on caste. "The earnings of non-agricultural labourers belonging to different castes seem to be in alignment with the prevalent caste hierarchy: labourers belonging to Scheduled Castes, in general, earn the lowest," the report said. Mobility for employment is a common phenomenon, with more than half of non-agricultural workers migrating for job opportunities. State Planning Commission Vice-Chairman J Jeyaranjan said the high duration of employment and higher wages in non-farm sectors are significant factors. These advantages neutralise the uncertainties associated with agriculture. "Agriculture has become supplementary now. Non-farm employment has become primary income due to growing importance. The major problem in agriculture is seasonality, and employment for 120 days a year," Jeyaranjan told TOI. EOM// MSID:: 121733500 413 |


Time of India
10-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Che_JM_Significant Rise in Shift to Non-Farm Sector Jobs in TN
Chennai: Tamil Nadu is seeing a significant shift from employment in the agriculture sector. A survey conducted between 2012 and 2024 revealed a decline in agricultural dependence and a rise in non-farm jobs due to increased access to higher education and the availability of non-farm employment. While 40% of the population relied on agriculture in 2012, this share dropped considerably. By 2024, it decreased by nearly 20%. In terms of gender distribution, 81% of men are engaged in non-agricultural work. For women, the corresponding figure is 71%. Villages selected for the study were chosen based on their rural non-farm employment rates. Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Tenkasi, and Virudhunagar reported relatively higher rates. In contrast, Thanjavur and Pudukottai showed lower rates of rural non-farm employment. The study found that agriculture was the primary occupation in only one village. This indicated that agriculture is no longer the sole occupation for households in rural Tamil Nadu. Non-agriculture is evolving beyond a peripheral activity. It is no longer considered a 'residual' activity, as some studies previously suggested. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Good News: You May Be Richer Than You Think Undo In 2012, 43% of workers were engaged in agricultural work. This figure sharply declined to 22% within a decade. Conversely, the percentage of workers engaged in non-agricultural work increased significantly, rising from 57% to 78% during the same period. Agriculture still provides livelihood for many rural workers, but the shift towards secondary and tertiary sectors is accelerating over the years. Younger workers, aged 15–34, are increasingly transitioning away from agriculture and seeking opportunities in non-farm jobs. Construction is a dominant sector for male workers. Manufacturing remains a significant non-agricultural activity for female workers. This trend is consistent across all age groups. The average annual earning of a non-agricultural labourer is estimated to be Rs 1.39 lakh. In comparison, an agricultural labourer earns an average of Rs 37,577. A self-employed worker in agriculture earns approximately Rs 99,400 annually. The report highlighted disparities in earnings based on caste. "The earnings of non-agricultural labourers belonging to different castes seem to be in alignment with the prevalent caste hierarchy: labourers belonging to Scheduled Castes, in general, earn the lowest," the report said. Mobility for employment is a common phenomenon, with more than half of non-agricultural workers migrating for job opportunities. State Planning Commission Vice-Chairman J Jeyaranjan said the high duration of employment and higher wages in non-farm sectors are significant factors. These advantages neutralise the uncertainties associated with agriculture. "Agriculture has become supplementary now. Non-farm employment has become primary income due to growing importance. The major problem in agriculture is seasonality, and employment for 120 days a year," Jeyaranjan told TOI. EOM// MSID:: 121733500 413 |


Hans India
10-06-2025
- Automotive
- Hans India
Plan panel's 6-point policy roadmap to drive TN's global mobility leadership
Chennai: The State Planning Commission (SPC) has unveiled a comprehensive six-point policy roadmap aimed at transforming Tamil Nadu into a global leader in sustainable mobility and electric vehicle (EV) innovation. Titled 'Tamil Nadu's Automotive Future,' the SPC report was formally submitted to Chief Minister M.K. Stalin by Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and SPC Executive Chairman J. Jeyaranjan at the State Secretariat. The report highlights the need for Tamil Nadu to evolve from a traditional automotive manufacturing hub to a centre for deep mobility innovation. To achieve this, the Commission recommended institutional and financial support for advanced research, intellectual property (IP) creation, and product development. A key recommendation is the establishment of a Tamil Nadu Mobility Innovation Fund to co-finance high-risk, high-reward R&D in areas such as battery technologies, EV operating systems, hydrogen propulsion, energy management software, and lightweight materials. The roadmap also suggests the creation of mobility R&D zones co-located with existing EV hubs in Chennai, Coimbatore, and Hosur. These zones would include shared infrastructure such as battery certification centres, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) labs, simulation environments, and vehicle testing tracks. The SPC called for strong academic-industry partnerships with premier institutions like IIT-Madras and Anna University. It also recommended fellowships and startup grants for researchers working on commercially viable innovations. To encourage broader participation, the Commission proposed plug-and-play access to public R&D labs and prototyping tools for startups and MSMEs. Addressing the issue of underutilised talent, the report flagged that over 1.5 lakh engineering graduates are produced annually in Tamil Nadu but remain underrepresented in core R&D roles. To bridge this gap, the Commission recommended launching the Mobility Skills 2030 programme with specialised courses in EV powertrains, battery technology, embedded systems, and logistics analytics. For balanced regional development, the report advocated targeted incentives for companies establishing units in non-urban districts, positioning mobility as a driver for equitable economic growth. On the infrastructure front, the SPC urged the state to fast-track the deployment of public charging stations along highways, in industrial zones, and within urban mobility hubs. It also recommended time-bound incentives for commercial EVs, including electric trucks and small commercial vehicles (e-SCVs). The Commission warned that EV adoption in the heavy commercial vehicle segment may remain below 20 per cent by 2030 without active government intervention. It proposed forming a Mobility Innovation and Growth Council comprising government, industry, academia, and civil society stakeholders to steer policy implementation. Lastly, the roadmap called for the formulation of a statewide EV charging infrastructure master plan and urged the government to mandate EV-ready building codes in urban planning to ensure long-term sustainability.


Time of India
09-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
TN aims for ‘decent work' for all by 2030
Chennai: Tamil Nadu is focusing on 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) including productive employment and decent work for all by 2030. The vision document prepared by the State Planning Commission and planning and development department also lays emphasis on reducing poverty in all its forms, promoting sustainable agriculture, access to modern energy, urgent action to combat climate change, protecting life below water and on land. Quality education for all, gender equality, empowerment of women, building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation, sustainable consumption and production patterns are other major goals. The document provides a comprehensive plan for achieving the SDGs by fostering the goal of 'Development for All'. Underscoring the state govt's support through various initiatives, it said, the TN Rural Transformation Project works to improve the economic conditions of rural communities by promoting livelihood opportunities, access to markets and financial services, and enhancing the productivity of agriculture and allied sectors. Further, the initiatives such as Skill Development Mission and TN Industrial Investment Corporation are helping towards achieving sustained economic growth and decent employment. Another goal emphasized on ensuring access to affordable, sustainable, and modern energy for all, while the goal on climate action stressed the need to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts by regulating emissions and promoting developments in renewable energy. While the goal to protect life below water by using ocean resources sustainably and making ocean contamination free, the goal relating to protection of life on land is through conserving and restoring TN's terrestrial ecosystems.