The Government is mulling a proposal to bring foreign direct investment (FDI) in the pharmaceutical sector in the next few months, said Saurabh Chandra, Secretary of the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP).
Speaking at an Assocham event, Chandra said, “There is a need for the Government and the industry to join hands to reverse the downtrend of industrial production, which has primarily been led by capital goods.”
Highlighting the poor handling of labour by industry, the Secretary said, “One of the prime reasons for the violence that broke at Maruti’s Manesar plant was poor living conditions of the contract labourers.”
“The industry must also collaborate with the Government to promote housing for workers and skill training as lack of appropriate skill sets prevents transfer of surplus labour to manufacturing,” said Chandra.
heena.k@thehindu.co.in