Why import Ganesha idols from China, asks Nirmala Sitharaman

Chennai

Importing raw materials that were not available in the country and needed for our industries was not wrong, she said, addressing the BJP’s Tamil Nadu unit workers via a virtual link.

“There is nothing wrong in imports that would spur production and create job opportunities and it can be done definitely,” she said while speaking on the Centre’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan initiative.

However, imports that could not bring benefits like employment opportunities and support growth would not help self-reliance and the Indian economy, she said.

Ganesha idols made of clay have been traditionally bought from the local potters during Ganesh Chaturthi festival every year, she said.

“But today, why even Ganesha idols are imported from China…why such a situation...can’t we make a Ganesha idol from clay, is it the situation?” she asked.

She wondered if importing household products used everyday like a soap-box, plastic items or incense sticks used for pooja purposes would support self-reliance especially when such products were made locally by Indian firms and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.

TN given Rs 6,600 cr to tackle COVID battle, says Finance Minister
The Centre has provided Rs 6,600  crore to Tamil Nadu since April for procurement of medical equipment to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Thursday.  Besides, a total of Rs 2,825 crore worth assistance had been released to the State till June 14 through various welfare scheme components of the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana, she told BJP’s Tamil Nadu unit workers addressing a virtual rally. “Considering that the government will need funds to buy medical equipment like ventilators, Rs 6,600 crore was given to Tamil Nadu in this fiscal within these three months to tackle COVID-19 and to see that people do not face any difficulty,” the minister said.