Irani takes charge of Textiles; says new role shows PM's faith

New Delhi, Jul 6: hunted out of HRD Ministry, Smriti Irani today put up a brave face saying her new Textiles portfolio signified the "faith" shown by the Prime Minister and the party in her capacity to perform.

Talking to reporters after taking charge of the new portfolio, she side-stepped questions about BJP president Amit Shah being behind her shift saying it is not individuals but the party who takes such decisions.

Asked if the move was to give her more time to focus on next year's assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, she quoted a line from a popular Hindi song, "Kuchh toh log kahenge logon ka kaam hai kehna" (people are bound to say things because it is their job to say something).

"I am happy that I have been given an opportunity especially when a special package (of Rs 6,000 crore for the apparel segment) has been announced for the sector. This signifies that my party and especially the Prime Minister has faith that I have the capacity to implement the roadmap that was projected through the Cabinet for the rest of the country," Irani said.

She said she was hopeful that the much-awaited new national textile policy "will soon see the light of day".

Asked about reports that Shah was behind the move to shift her to Textiles, Irani retorted that "it is not the individual that plans (such moves) it is the party".

Earlier in the day, she tweeted on her tenure in HRD, which was marred by controversies, "In last 2 years, all initiatives of @HRDMinistry have been towards increasing learning outcomes for students and improving quality of education."

"I thank officials from @HRDMinistry for the consistent support in realising PM @narendramodi's vision of ensuring quality education for all," she said in another tweet.

About her new portfolio, Irani vowed to strengthen textile and apparel sectors and said her efforts will be primarily directed towards skill development and engaging more youngsters.

"We will ensure that the weavers who are the bedrock of this Ministry get full support in order to enhance their incomes," she said.

In yesterday's Union Cabinet expansion, Irani lost her Human Resources Development Ministry to Prakash Javadekar and was moved to the Textiles Ministry. Santosh Gangwar, Minister of State for Textiles, has been made MoS (Finance).

Irani congratulated Gangwar on the initiatives taken by the Textiles Ministry during his tenure. Last month, the government had approved a Rs 6,000-crore package for the textile and apparel sector.

"Congratulated @santoshgangwar ji for his contribution to @TexMinIndia & thanked him for assuring his support as I begin my new assignment," she said.

"Look forward to working with officials at @TexMinIndia for strengthening the very important Textile & Apparel Sector of our country."

Irani preferred to sidestep questions on controversies surrounding her tenure in the HRD Ministry and said: "I feel your (media's) heavy presence here at the Textiles Ministry shows that you and I will continue to be together."

Asked about her critics saying that she has been demoted, Irani shot back by saying: I will only say that possibly there isn't much understanding of a sector which has the largest potential to employ and skill and potential to now scale up the Prime Minister's dream of Make in India.

Highlighting the significance of her new portfolio, Irani said she was "grateful" that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had given her an opportunity to work for the textile sector, which is the largest employer in the country after agriculture and predominantly engages with women.

"I am grateful that I have been given the opportunity to serve in the sector. I recognise that it is one of the sectors that has been undertaken under the Make in India campaign of the Prime Minister. I am hopeful that the emphasis with regards to better engagement with industry in order to facilitate growth in exports will be the cornerstone of our efforts here.

"Also we will ensure that the weavers, who are the very bedrock of this Ministry, get full support in order to expand their incomes and to pass on the heritage and the culture ingrained in the textile sector onto the next generation.

Irani said she was aware of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision to give a boost to the textile sector," Irani said.

"I am happy that Prakash Javadekar will further Prime Minister's vision in the (HRD) Ministry," Irani said.

Prakash Javadekar, who has assumed charge as the new HRD Minister, met Irani earlier in the day.