Now, time to worry about textile sector: Congress

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Wednesday took a jibe at Smriti Irani who was transferred to the textiles ministry by saying now the country should worry about the plight of the textile sector. “Having seen what Smriti Irani has done to the education system and the campuses, now it should be a matter of concern what will happen to the textile sector,” AICC spokesperson Manish Tewari said.

“During the past two years, the NDA government had systematically attempted to subvert and dismantle the public education system. What is even scarier is the frontal assault mounted by the HRD ministry on the autonomy of our public universities,” he alleged. Tewari claimed “the saffronisation of education system would be intensified” under new HRD minister Prakash Javadekar and alleged he was promoted as a reward for withdrawing Rs 200 crore fine imposed on a private firm.

“May be the pace of saffronisation was not to the satisfaction of the prime minister and, therefore, you have an incumbent, who possibly will accelerate that pace.There is a clear attempt to try and hand over India’s education to private interests and given the fact that the manner in which some decisions were taken in the environment ministry, especially the withdrawal of the Rs 200-crore fine imposed on a particular corporate house which is considered to be close to the power that be, the appointment becomes all the more ominous and sinister.”