Interacting with members of Industry and trade associations during the Question & Answer Session at a program organised by Thinkers Forum in Bengaluru on Sunday, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that to say suddenly that Amul is being brought to Karnataka to kill Nandini is “brazen”.
The Minister disclosed that the Gujarat-based dairy cooperative Amul had entered the state when Congress was in power here and there is nothing wrong. We have different brands in different states such as Amul in Gujarat, Milma in Kerala, Nandini in Karnataka, Sudha in Bihar and so on. Like every one, Nandini also sells its products in other states, said the Minister.
Nirmala Sitharaman said that this intrinsic strength of every state to produce its own brand of milk has made India the largest producer of milk in the world. The main thing is that the idea of India is to be strengthened, stated the Minister putting the issue in perspective.
She said things were tweaked, twisted and made into an emotional issue because it is election time in Karnataka. Sitharaman was addressing the audience composed of corporate professionals, chartered accountants, lawyers etc at a program organised by Thinkers Forum at JP Nagar in Bengaluru.
She said Karnataka is conscious of its agriculture, particularly North Karnataka. Out-of-the-box thinking comes from leaders rooted in the ground. We need leaders who can think, and who can equally promote both Startups and farmers together.
States need to give all kinds of provisions & make expenditures for empowering people, not on the basis of entitlement. Give people everything they need for a decent living – road, electricity, house, toilet. Then they can decide where they want to put their money, stated the Minister.
She said “PM Modi is a visionary & is politically committed for India. He understands the importance of working with the team of states & gives necessary backup & support till the very last minute of execution. People of India have a direct connection with the PM & trust him.”
She took questions from members of Industry and trade associations and explained a variety of issues. She said the PM believes in women-led development & not just women-centric development. Women are coming forward, leading & are taking initiative in different walks of life. Women leaders bring different perspectives & dimensions to the larger team, she stated.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also addressed an Interactive Session with Academicians, Public Intellectuals at Siddaganga Institute of Technology, Tumakuru.
Meanwhile, India Today quotes Siddaramaiah as saying if elected the CM he would not only exclude the possibility of Amul and Karnataka-based Nandini working together but urge the general public not to buy Amul milk. Siddaramaiah said this while speaking at the India Today Karnataka Roundtable recently.