We have a new prime minister, Narendra Modi, and with him a new government and therefore significant posts to be filled in sectors that shape the nation, industry and the economy. Of course, the post of finance minister is a very important one, to the auto sector as well, and as per a lot of media speculation, that post has been given to Arun Jaitley. But which other ministerial positions influence and affect the auto sector, and who are the new ministers filling them?
Starting off with the portfolio of road transport, highways and shipping, which has been given to Nitin Gadkari, who oversaw the construction of the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. He, on the morning after his appointment, is reported to have said that he would attempt to double the road network and take forward the work that was done under the Golden Quadrilateral. If so, that means faster, easier interstate drives across the country on better roads – great news.
Another key minister for the auto sector may well be minister of state Dharmendra Pradhan who gets independent charge of petroleum and natural gas.
Anant Geethe, who was also in the Vajpayee government, is now minister of heavy industries and public enterprises. While his predecessor Praful Patel was among those behind the national mission on hybrids and electric vehicles, it remains to be seen what push Geethe will give the Automotive Mission Plan.
Both industry and road transport also have ministers of state. In the Indian scheme of things, a minister of state is a junior minister in the council of ministers appointed to assist a cabinet minister or have independent charge of a ministry.
BRIAN DE SOUZA