After scrapping or putting several projects in limbo, the TVK government now has a ruling-party MLA demanding that an existing industrial unit be shut down. The demand to close JK Tyre in Ranipet adds to questions over how the government intends to retain industries and attract fresh investment to Tamil Nadu.
Speaking in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, Ranipet MLA Tahira alleged that the JK Tyre plant was causing severe environmental damage and demanded that it be shut down.
“The JK Tyres plant in Ranipet operates through the night, causing severe environmental damage during the day. Local residents have staged protests over this, alleging that the previous administration failed to take any action. That company must be shut down under our government; we do not need it.”
ராணிப்பேட்டையில் JK டயர்ஸ் ஆலையை இழுத்து மூட வேண்டும் என சட்டப் பேரவையில் தவெக எம்.எல்.ஏ கோரிக்கை#SunNews | #Ranipet | #TNAssembly | #TVK pic.twitter.com/jecCEmxFzo
— Sun News (@sunnewstamil) September 3, 2026
Responding to the MLA, Industries Minister Keerthana said the government would balance employment and environmental concerns.
“The MLA has called for the closure of JK Tyres. While we must certainly provide jobs for the youth and ensure companies operate here, I wish to state that we will take measures to ensure environmental protection and implement necessary legal amendments to ensure the company continues to operate in Tamil Nadu.”
Few minutes later, Industries minister S Keerthana gets up and says the factory will be asked to curb pollution, but such industries and factories are required to provide employment to the youth. https://t.co/OpWd5acZ7L pic.twitter.com/gbuXTzUxCw
— Kannan Jeevanantham (JK) (@Im_kannanj) September 3, 2026
But there is a fundamental problem with the entire exchange.
JK Tyre does not have a manufacturing plant in Ranipet.
JK Tyre’s official list of manufacturing locations identifies its Tamil Nadu plant as the Chennai Tyre Plant, located at Kolathur Village on the Sriperumbudur-Tambaram Road in Kancheepuram district.
JK Tyre has no factory in Ranipet.
Yet two ministers answered an MLA’s question about shutting it down—and TRB jumps in to oppose it.
We’ve reached peak governance: shut down a factory that never existed, then defend its closure. https://t.co/cT6bXapnO7
— Indu Makkal Katchi (off) (@Indumakalktchi) September 3, 2026
The company’s official records also list its other manufacturing facilities in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Uttarakhand, with no factory listed in Ranipet.
This leaves an obvious question: What exactly was the Ranipet MLA seeking to shut down?
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