CHENNAI: Nirmala Sitharaman, an alumna of JNU, said that universities should have in place a structure that ensures equality towards those from socially backward groups.
“Universities should be places where equal opportunities are given to socially deprived classes like SCs and STs, who already face a lot of difficulties in their lives. Even in the case of Muthukrishnan, after so many attempts, he was able to secure a place in a national university like JNU,” said the minister on the sidelines of an export expo.
She also added that the government in the state should be more involved with the masses. “If the government had been discussing the jalikattu issue, people would not have taken to streets with so much anger,” she added.
She also mentioned that the Union government is working towards solving the fishermen issue. “I have submitted a report to the Prime Minister. The fishermen had asked me to set up a meeting with the fisheries secretary but the minister of external affairs Sushma Swaraj, who was keeping unwell, said that she herself will meet them. She has already consented the dates for the meeting,” she told the media.
Engineering exports for current fiscal $50.87 billion: Minister
Engineering exports, for the April-January period of the current fiscal, have touched $ 50.87 billion, exceeding the total shipments of $49 billion in the entire financial year of 2015-16, said minister of state for commerce and industry Nirmala Sitharaman. “The engineering exports are likely to reach $ 60 billion, this year,” she added.
Nirmala was in the city at the inauguration of the sixth edition of International Engineering Sourcing Show (IESS), an export-focused event in India’s engineering sector, which saw the participation of over 400 exhibitors from India and abroad, and 500 foreign delegates. The minister said that Russia has been invited to be the ‘Partner Country’ in India International Jewellery Show 2017, to be held in July 2017, in Mumbai and Advantage Healthcare India scheduled to be held in Oct. 2017 in Delhi or Mumbai.
“Russian railway is working on the feasibility to implement super fast train between Nagpur and Secunderabad. Also, in a joint venture between Mosmetrostroy and Hindustan Construction Company Ltd (HCC) will undertake the underground line work in Mumbai metro,” she added.
