GoM resolves inter-ministerial differences on NMP

A group of ministers (GoM), set up to resolve contentious issues in the proposed National Manufacturing Policy (NMP), has sorted out the divergent views and is expected to put it up to the cabinet for final approval.

Issues raised by the environment and labour ministries were taken up for discussion by the GoM, headed by agriculture minister Sharad Pawar. These were sorted out and both ministries were taken on board.

''There were certain issues raised by the ministries of environment, labour and MSME (micro, small and medium enterprises) in Friday's meeting,'' said Pawar. ''We discussed them in depth and came to a solution, following which I will be able to submit a final draft this week.''

The NMP aims to raise the share of the manufacturing sector to 25 per cent of the nation's GDP by 2025 – from 16 per cent at present – besides creating 100 million new jobs.

The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, which has increasingly been relying on GoMs to sort out vexatious issues that have slowed down policy-making, set up the one on the NMP on September 20, after sharp differences arose over the proposed policy between the ministries of commerce and industry, environment, labour and MSMEs.

A high-level committee headed by prime minister Manmhan Singh had cleared the draft NMP, but the differences between the ministries – which surfaced at a cabinet meeting last month – saw the important move being shelved and handed over to the Pawar-led GoM.