First-time ministers voice first day thoughts

NEW DELHI, OCT 14: Though it's unlikely that any of the new Cabinet ministers will be able to completely achieve what they want to in the...

NEW DELHI, OCT 14: Though it’s unlikely that any of the new Cabinet ministers will be able to completely achieve what they want to in their respective areas, it’s interesting to record their initial reactions, on joining office. While some old hands like Yashwant Sinha talked of the alarming fiscal deficit, the more enthusiastic first-timers were more forthright, even if a trifle alarming — for them, its politics as usual.

Sharad Yadav, the giant killer from Madhepura, who took over as civil aviation minister, for instance, made it clear that his immediate priority would be the four Lok Sabha elections in Bihar. As for the privatisation of airports, or a strategic partner for Air India, he would go by what stated government policy was, though “you all know my background” he told mediapersons. Yadav said, decisions regarding all pending matters in the ministry, including acquisition of aircrafts, would be taken without delay after he had full knowledge of his task. The assets of the ministry and its illswould have to be understood. Like Yadav, his deputy Chaman Lal Gupta, also said that air travel should be brought to the level where more people were able to use it to save time.

Manohar Joshi, another first-timer at the Centre, possibly believed that no one before him had ever bothered to find out why public sector units had become sick, or whether or not they could be revived. That’s why he told PTI that, as minister for heavy industry and public enterprises, he would consider setting up an independent body to look into sickness in public sector undertakings. We have set up an independent body in Maharashtra to see how sick PSUs can be brought back. Something similar could be considered for sick central PSUs also,’ Joshi told PTI. The former chief minister of Maharashtra, however, said such a decision would have to be taken by the Union cabinet. On disinvestment of government stake in PSUs, Joshi said Government would adopt a wait and watch policy’.

Communications minister Ram VilasPaswan dazzled all by his imitation of cyber chief minister Chandrababu Naidu. Not only, he said, would there be telephone connections in every village by 2002, he would also have internet services in villages for the benefit of the rustic population.

Paswan said that his ministry would devise the scheme for this in one month and in two months the internet connections would be a reality. He said Government was committed to implement the New Telecom Policy, ’99 and his ministry would take the package to the Cabinet for clearance as directed by the Delhi High Court.

Given the flak the government came in for over sugar imports from Pakistan the last time around, Power minister P R Kumaramangalam said that any deal on power purchase from Pakistan would have to be shelved for the present moment. Kumaramangalam said that while India had the infrastructure to import 300 MW of power from Pakistan, the price at which it was being offered was too high. We are not that desparate for friendly ties with Pakistan atthe moment,’ he said.

Commerce and industry minister Murasoli Maran today said Government will raise foreign direct investment (FDI) to $ 10 billion annually by allowing more investments through the automatic route. Asked about further liberalisation of industrial approval procedures, Maran said I almost abolished licencing system in my earlier stint as Industry minister. Now the question is should there be a Foreign Investment Promotion Board?’

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With regard to the Insurance Regulatory Authority Bill, Fema and money laundering bill etc, Finance minister Yashwant Sinha said that these continue to be priority areas for Government and will be tabled in Parliament during winter session.

With regard to the much talked about second generation reforms, Sinha said that for this the Government will prepare an exhaustive document and once ready, it will be taken for debate in Parliament.