Tamil Nadu widens its lead in electronics exports, could hit $8 billion in FY24 

In a tweet, Tamil Nadu's minister of industries projected that the state would cross $8 billion in exports for FY-24. "With exports of $4.8 billion already, almost 31% of total exports out of India and nearly double of the second-runner state, Tamil Nadu could hit a staggering $8 billion in exports this year, which is a significant leap from the previous year's $5.37 billion," said TRB Rajaa, who also holds charge of investment promotion.

"The state's strategic policies, skilled workforce, and robust infrastructure and of course the Dravidian Model of governance have propelled its exports to new heights," Rajaa added.

In the recent past, Tamil Nadu has made headlines for its focus on electronics manufacturing, and attracting investments in the sector. In July, Taiwanese electronics giant, Foxconn, announced that it would invest $194.45 million to set up a plant outside Chennai, separate from an existing facility that manufactures iPhones. Another Apple supplier, Pegatron, has already established presence in the state where it makes iPhones.

The state's rapid strides in electronics manufacturing and exports have not been without their share of controversy. In 2021, employees of Foxconn protested working conditions at the plant, following which the facility was put on probation.

The protests came in the light of concerns surrounding health and hygiene, after several contract workers took ill after consuming food served at the plant. Later, officials from the Tamil Nadu Labour Department, including minister for labour welfare, CV Ganesan, intervened with the intention to ensure that labour laws and regulations were followed within the plant.

In October, Time Magazine published a detailed account of working conditions within Foxconn's Tamil Nadu plant, featuring interviews with unnamed factory workers on prevailing working conditions and safety standards. The story detailed claims of pressure to meet production deadlines, while being denied benefits like sick leave.

Neither the state's department of industrial safety nor the Tamil Nadu Industries Department has responded to these reports. CNBC-TV18's queries to the Minister of Industries over the Time Magazine story have thus far remained unanswered.