Nirmala Sitharaman happy with states’ contribution to ‘Make in India’ scheme

Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is happy and satisfied with states’ participation in the ‘Make in India’ scheme. She said the enterprise shown by states is "the biggest and happiest outcome" of the Modi government’s flagship scheme.
Sitharaman told the TOI: "The big surprise is the way each state has fashioned itself, innovatively, even the small ones...so you understand the states have also started figuring out and focussing on sectors."
States are focussing on their best products, to participate in the scheme. For example, Sikkim has chosen organic products while Himachal Pradesh has decided on environment (products and activities related to it).
The minister further added that states have to identify in which sectors they will contribute in the 'Make in India' process for maximum growth and employment generation. In fact, inspired by the "healthy competitiveness" shown by states, the Centre has started "ranking" them on the basis of "ease of business" and the states are trying to beat each other at it, she said.
On being asked the political differences that often play a role in Centre-state relations and its effects on rankings, Sitharaman asserted her experience was quite "contrary" to the political picture one gets to see in Parliament over issues and legislations.
It seems states, including those ruled by opposition parties, have been keen competitors, given that the state stands to gain and the chief minister gets the credit for benefits it reaps.
The commerce minister talked of a "positive engagement with states" which has worked. "Competitive federalism, a term Arunji (Jaitley) frequently uses... is at work," Sitharaman said.
On being asked the one big achievement at the end of the year, Sitharaman said: "The biggest milestone is to have got all the states on board and talking with them without a discordant note."
All states agreed to discuss the issue and came on board on matters that had to do with each of them. There are 18-related ministries at the Centre which have been working in coordination with the commerce ministry and the states, to prepare an action plan of 98 actionable points, the minister said.
The action plan has to be presented to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley by June 30.

(Image: Indiatimes)