Rajasthan’s thrust will be on textile, agriculture and domestic tourism: Sachin Pilot

Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot says only those migrants who are desperate and determined to reach home should go, and the rest should be persuaded to stay back in the state as economic activities have begun. Excerpts from an interview with Shantanu Nandan Sharma.

With most of the commercial districts in Rajasthan in red zones, do you expect an economic revival anytime soon?
The commercial hubs of Rajasthan may be in the red districts, but industrial plants and processing units are mostly located outside the red zone. Manufacturing activities have begun outside the city limits. The timing has been extended from eight to 12 hours so that there is less labour movement, more productivity and less chance of spreading the infection. Also, in all districts, we have allowed agriculture activities, harvesting, buying and selling of agriculture products, etc. We have allowed offices to function with limited capacities. One third of government workforce is attending office.


Will the return of migrant workers impact economic revival?
Yes, there is a cost to the migrants’ travelling back to their native districts. Once a worker goes back home, she won’t return in the next three-four months. I feel that only those who are desperate and determined to go back home should go; the rest should stay back, taking temporary jobs. They won’t be gainfully employed in their native areas.

Which sectors could drive Rajasthan’s economy now?
The real economic activities in Rajasthan are taking place in the rural areas. On April 18, we had 62,000 NREGA (National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) workers; on May 5 the number jumped to 16.5 lakh. They have been working in their own farmland — all individual work, but they are receiving wages. Our thrust will be on textiles, agriculture and domestic tourism.