Pics: Meryick D' Silva
Daijiworld Media Network- Mangaluru (DV)
Mangaluru, Jan 4: Nirmala Sitharaman, union minister of state for commerce and industry, has promised the areca growers that she knew the importance of areca and it will not be viewed as just another commodity before imposing any ban on it.
"I had three meetings with different delegations from various regions of Karnataka. The growers are not happy with imports coming from countries where they do not even grow arecanut. Arecanut has a special role in the society. It symbolizes certain sacredness. We have taken position that the concerns of areca farmers should be considered and areca should not be just seen as a common commodity. And as per importation of areca is concerned, we are taking corrective measures. " she said.
She was speaking at the press meet during her visit to the city on Saturday January 3, 2015.
"The government is emphasizing in its commitment to move in the right direction. We want to ensure that the there is no economic slump and every hurdle is lifted. We want to sustain the moment of growth and ensure the growth results in creation of jobs" added Sitharaman briefing on the present economy.
Claiming that government is in the process to improve economy which has been in slump due to policies of the the previous government, she said that "the economy is in travails. Indian economy is suffering from last 7 to 8 years because of policy paralysis of earlier government and continued to fester and linger at poor performing rate. We were facing continuous unabated inflation."
On the FDI growth Nirmala Sitharaman said "We have increased 25% in FDI. Economy is showing the growth indications and it is improving."
On Intreligence Propery Rights(IPR) policy she said "We had announced a formal think tank to form the IPR policies in India. Indian legal is robust and Indian courts have been quick in invoking Indian laws. The think tank submitted the report on draft policy in December and now it is available at public domain. This report will be sent to all ministries. Once the inputs come from them and from public, the think tank will sit again and will give a shape to the first draft of the policy. Later it will given to the cabinet for consideration."
She also said "Most of the work on the foreign trade policy is complete. India's share in the world trade is far lesser than 3%. There is need for facilitating the greater exports.We should have greater import substitutes."
Monappa Bhandary and Diwakar Samani among others were present during the press meet.