Gandhinagar/Ahmedabad: Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman criticized the Congress and its INDIA bloc for lacking a developmental agenda and focusing solely on opposing Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Addressing the media in Ahmedabad, she highlighted govt’s commitment to positioning India as a leading manufacturing and service hub, both for domestic and international markets.
She was responding to a query on American tech billionaire Elon Musk postponing his meeting with the PM.Tesla CEO Musk said on Saturday that his visit to India had been delayed due to the company’s heavy obligations.
Sitharaman said, “Policies have been tailored to attract investments. We want manufacturers and investors to come and produce not just for India but also for exports.”
The Union minister highlighted the effectiveness of govt’s strategy, particularly in response to the “China plus one” approach and the meticulous crafting of policies to make India a global trade hub. She reassured that any discussions with potential investors would align with these established policies.
Regarding inflation, Sitharaman assured that it remained within the tolerance band during Modi govt, except for one month, contrasting with the “double-digit inflation before 2014”.
On employment, Sitharaman said there was a lack of complete data from both the formal and informal sectors but asserted initiatives of the Centre have ensured jobs to lakhs. “The data is inadequate. All I can say regarding employment is that the money is given to people and startups through different schemes. People in crores have availed of the support. Between Oct 2022 and Nov 2023, through the Rozgar Mela, Modi has given govt jobs to 10 lakh people,” she said.
Earlier, at the GCCI event, Samvad Viksit Bharat -2047, Sitharaman praised Gujarat’s progress. She noted that 28% of the capital under the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme has been allocated to the state. She also highlighted Gujarat’s leading role in semiconductor manufacturing and its readiness for high-end manufacturing, as evidenced by its significant shares in the country’s petrochemicals and chemicals manufacturing sectors. “The IFSC at GIFT City in Gandhinagar is a big gateway for services to grow in Gujarat. It is the key for India to attract more investment and financial operations,” she said.
She was responding to a query on American tech billionaire Elon Musk postponing his meeting with the PM.Tesla CEO Musk said on Saturday that his visit to India had been delayed due to the company’s heavy obligations.
Sitharaman said, “Policies have been tailored to attract investments. We want manufacturers and investors to come and produce not just for India but also for exports.”
The Union minister highlighted the effectiveness of govt’s strategy, particularly in response to the “China plus one” approach and the meticulous crafting of policies to make India a global trade hub. She reassured that any discussions with potential investors would align with these established policies.
Regarding inflation, Sitharaman assured that it remained within the tolerance band during Modi govt, except for one month, contrasting with the “double-digit inflation before 2014”.
On employment, Sitharaman said there was a lack of complete data from both the formal and informal sectors but asserted initiatives of the Centre have ensured jobs to lakhs. “The data is inadequate. All I can say regarding employment is that the money is given to people and startups through different schemes. People in crores have availed of the support. Between Oct 2022 and Nov 2023, through the Rozgar Mela, Modi has given govt jobs to 10 lakh people,” she said.
Earlier, at the GCCI event, Samvad Viksit Bharat -2047, Sitharaman praised Gujarat’s progress. She noted that 28% of the capital under the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme has been allocated to the state. She also highlighted Gujarat’s leading role in semiconductor manufacturing and its readiness for high-end manufacturing, as evidenced by its significant shares in the country’s petrochemicals and chemicals manufacturing sectors. “The IFSC at GIFT City in Gandhinagar is a big gateway for services to grow in Gujarat. It is the key for India to attract more investment and financial operations,” she said.
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