Exclusive: MoS steel Faggan Singh Kulaste dwells on industrial sector's prospects

In an exclusive interview with ETV Bharat, Union Minister of State in the Ministry of Steel Faggan Singh Kulaste spoke extensively about future prospects of the Industrial sector. He also threw light on the Prime Minister's call for making self-reliant India.

Bhopal:Three days after Prime Minister announced the economic relief package, Union Minister of State in the Ministry of Steel Faggan Singh Kulaste got into a conversation with ETV Bharat and spoke extensively about future prospects of the Industrial sector.

Excerpts from the interview:

Q. After the announcement of the relief package all eyes are on industries, when will the industries and businesses be allowed to open?

Ans. The Prime Minister announced the relief package on May 14. All the efforts that can be made in India and around the world are currently being made.

In the economic sector, the industrial area is a part which plays the biggest role in growth and development. Out of these, the most important is steel. Production of 300 million tonnes of steel was the goal for 2030-31.

The ministry is taking all possible steps to ensure its completion and is proceeding, slowly but surely towards success. The condition till February-March is ideal, but like in every sector, the corona has left its indelible mark on this sector too, the MSME sector too has been affected adversely and heavily.

PM Modi had talked about providing employment to the youth through the MSME sector. The tragedy today is that corona has very adversely affected the business world, the country and businesses everywhere. The manpower absorbing businesses and practices have been curtailed. Sales in the steel sector have been started only after decreasing manpower by 50%.

They resumed only after April 30. Today, we are not able to complete production as per our aspirations, but the process of a rebuild is also taking place continuously. India is trying to combat the conditions in the country and the world in light of needs by adaptation. Steel and railway sectors are being given primacy as per requirement. We hope to move forward soon after recovering successfully.

Q. How much time will it take for the Steel industry & the MSMEs to begin using the package provided by the Centre? Whether the said amount is enough?

Ans.The idea is to begin the work in the steel industry and the public-private and the MSME sectors by May 20. Talks are underway with ministers in states to encourage the same. The work has begun in many places. The return of the labour workforce to their villages definitely poses problems for the industries, but on the other hand, around 60-70 per cent of the MSME businesses have restarted.

Q. How do you view the PM’s talk of making an opportunity out of adversity?

Ans. The relief package is an attempt to change the adversity into opportunity; it is an attempt to recover from the losses already suffered until now.

Q. In such a condition is it a good chance for India to seize the world market and to prepare a better market for itself?

A. We want our doors to open to the opportunity present, the crisis is also a means to help the country in recovering, akin to the time when Gujrat recovered brilliantly from the Kutchh disaster.

In the same manner, India should make the most of this opportunity. The country possesses many opportunities which will only increase in the coming days.

A powerful country is being built, and that is why Prime Minister Modi called for a self-dependent country. A new PPE model has been adopted by us in these adverse circumstances. Small industries should be supported. Also, such micro small and medium industries must be supported on the local levels.

Q. Coronavirus has led to businesses stopping in many Asian nations. In a country like India, isn't the rise of prepared goods in industries like Steel and Tata a sign of danger?

Ans.The time today is to overcome problems. We shall use all the manpower required. Supporting even the large industries is an idea being mooted. Also doing the rounds is the idea of giving economic packages to the businesses.

Q. We depend on foreign imports to fulfil the simplest of needs. The opportunities that should be created for the country are not coming to fruition, how shall this gap be filled?

Ans. Prime Minister Modi is constantly thinking for a solution to this particular problem. In this regard, local raw material, like cotton, holds great potential. Agriculture too can be extensively promoted.

The Prime Minister has appealed to the people to go local. The ‘vocal for local’ call by the Prime minister will soon be a reality. 70-75 per cent of the industries have already begun.

Chief Ministers of different states have reported that there are obstacles but businesses are beginning. There is a shortage of manpower, but recovery will definitely be made.

Q. Will change in labour laws lead to a reduction of wages of workers?

Ans. The changes in labour laws will have no adverse effects because the steps that have been ushered in for the workers by the Union government will only help them.

The government will deposit three months’ worth of contribution from the labourers’ and the employers’ side. This is a move that will benefit more than 5 crore people.

Q. Is there any alternative arrangement other than MNREGA for workers migrating back to their home states?

Ans. Other than MNREGA, agriculture holds great potential. Every labourer is a farmer today. They should be connected with different parts like Sericulture, Fish breeding, Horticulture.

The government has also included these in its relief package. Strengthening the agriculture sector and our farmers is on the agenda to the path of recovery. MNREGA has its own value, which has increased labour work.

In such a situation how the schemes are implemented on the panchayat, district and state levels is a question being mulled over by the government. It is a challenge that the government wants to overcome by supporting as many industries as it can.

Q. How are the health facilities in your area?

Ans.At the time when I was in the Health Department, Medical colleges were upgraded for the first time in the country.

60 per cent of the medical community decided to keep its distance. We increased the fees for an MBBS seat to Rs 75 thousand Rs 55 thousand. Increased the seats for PG and increased the seats in AIIMS.

Many schemes were run on how to connect everyone to the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, to ensure that all are treated and benefitted. To improve the health sector to its zenith is a priority for Prime Minister Modi so that India remains healthy.

It is the priority of PM Modi to lift the health sector as much as possible so that India remains healthy. I must say the PM has envisioned a self-reliant capable India.