Telangana Minister Calls for Strict Industry Compliance with Labor Laws
In a significant address at the CII Telangana annual meeting, Labour Minister Dr G Vivek Venkataswamy urged industries in the state to ensure full compliance with all statutory guidelines from both central and state governments. This includes adherence to the new labor codes, with a strong emphasis on safeguarding the interests of workers and staff.
Learning from the Sigachi Industries Case
The minister pointed to the recent incident at Sigachi Industries as a cautionary tale. "If Sigachi followed those few guidelines, the investment cost would not be more than Rs 20-30 lakh. But ultimately they ended up paying more than Rs 40-45 crore as compensation," Venkataswamy stated. He stressed that while ease of doing business is crucial, it must not come at the expense of legal compliance. "Please, along with the ease of doing business, comply with all the statutory guidelines," he implored industry leaders.
Emphasis on Speed and Skilled Manpower
Beyond compliance, the minister highlighted the importance of operational efficiency. "It is not only ease of doing business that is important; the speed of doing business is also important," he noted. To support this, he has instructed department officials to maintain close contact with industry bodies like CII. "A lot of investments are coming into the state and we need a lot of skilled manpower for them," Venkataswamy added, underscoring the need for a collaborative approach to workforce development.
Governor's Address on Inclusive Growth
In his inaugural speech at the conference titled 'Building a Competitive and Sustainable Telangana', Governor Jishnu Dev Varma reinforced the urgency of sustainable practices. He declared that inclusive growth and sustainability are no longer optional but an urgent necessity for survival, aligning with the minister's call for responsible business conduct.
New Leadership at CII Telangana
The event also marked a leadership transition within CII Telangana. M Goutham Reddy Mereddy, Vice Chairman of Re Sustainability Ltd, was elected as Chairman for 2026-27. With 27 years of experience in environmental services, waste management, real estate, and infrastructure, Reddy brings extensive expertise to the role. Previously, he worked at EPTRI and Ramky Enviro Engineers, now known as Re Sustainability.
Gaurav Maheshwari, Group President – Asia Pacific at Signode, was elected Vice Chairman. A Chartered Accountant with over 30 years of experience, Maheshwari's appointment adds financial and strategic depth to the organization's leadership.
This conference, held in Hyderabad, served as a platform for discussing key issues facing Telangana's industrial landscape, with a clear message from the government: compliance and sustainability are non-negotiable for long-term success.
