Finance Minister Sitharaman hails GST as 'revolutionary' at Thoothukudi matchbox industry's centenary celebration

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday participated in the Tamil Nadu Matchbox Industry Centenary Celebration held at the SSTM College campus in the Kovilpatti area of Thoothukudi districtThe National Small Matchbox Manufacturers Association jointly organised the event Global Safety Matchbox Industries Association South India Matchbox Manufacturers Association All India Chamber of Matchbox Industries Sivakasi and various matchbox producers associations from Sattur Gudiyatham Tenkasi Dharmapuri Pollachi and Kaveripattinam of the Thoothukudi districtThe centenary celebration was presided over by committee president S Maheswaran with vicepresident SSTM Krishnamoorthy and BJP state general secretary Ram Srinivasan presentFinance Minister Sitharaman also felicitated and interacted with women workers of the matchbox industry in Kovilpatti nsitharaman Smt nsitharaman felicitated and interacted with women workers of the matchbox industry earlier today inhellip pictwittercom2vxazk97nRmdash Nirmala Sitharaman Office nsitharamanoffc September 20 2025Addressing the gathering Minister Sitharaman paid tribute to women workers who form the backbone of the matchbox industryWomen have driven this industry forward working even in difficult conditions to sustain their families Though many men are on this stage at least one woman worker should have been here too she saidShe emphasised that Prime Minister Narendra Modis government has always prioritised the southern districts despite the absence of MPs from Tamil Nadu Any request made regarding the southern districts the Prime Minister immediately considers she said dedicating the event to PM Modis birthdayGST reform is not a mere tax change but a revolution she said noting that the PM Modi governments Diwali gift reduced taxes on 375 products by 1037 bringing down consumer pricesCalling for political support Nirmala Sitharaman urged people to elect leaders who could aid development You must choose MLAs in 2026 and MPs in 2029 who can contribute to your growth Leaders like Kadambur C Raju AIADMK Senior leader should be elected she saidShe also praised BJPs Tamil Nadu state president Nainar Nagendran affectionately calling him Pannaiyar as locals doSitharaman also visited the exhibition on matchbox industry products held as part of the centenary eventBJP leaders including state president Nainar Nagendran national womens wing president Vanathi Srinivasan MLA and former minister amp Senior AIADMK leader Kadambur Raju addressed the gathering Industry leaders including National Small Matchbox Manufacturers Association president M Paramasivam also delivered speechesThe celebration drew more than 10000 matchbox manufacturers and workers from across Tamil Nadu including Sivakasi Kovilpatti and Tenkasi A medical camp was also organised for workers and food was arranged for participantsThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever