Kuch toh log kahenge: Smriti Irani on her departure from HRD to textiles ministry

NEW DELHI: “Kuch toh log kahenge, logon ka kaam hai kehna...” an unfazed Smriti Irani quoted lines from 1970s hit film 'Amar Prem' on the commentary on her being moved from the 'high profile' human resource development ministry to textiles ministry.

“This signifies that my party and specially the PM have faith that I have the capacity to implement the roadmap that was projected through the cabinet (decision on package for textile sector),” a confident Irani said, taking charge of textiles ministry.

She laughed away the question on this move for paving way for a larger role in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh. Irani’s immediate task will be to pilot this package and quickly move the wider textiles policy that is in the works.

Textiles sector is the biggest employer in the country after agriculture and the government feels it has potential to generate big ticket jobs.

“In the last 2 years, all initiatives of @HRDMinistry have been towards increasing learning outcomes for students and improving quality of education," she said in a tweet. Irani flagged concerns regarding challenges about giving support to weavers and skilling.

“I’m hopeful that emphasis with regard to better engagement with industry in order to facilitate growth in exports will be the cornerstone of our efforts here… I will provide adequate support to ensure not only skilling of those who are already in the sector but also engage more and more youngsters in the sector,” the minister said. The government has doled out a Rs 6,000 crore package for textiles.