Ministerial work is a back-breaking job: Paswan
LJP leader Paswan, who assumed charge of Chemicals, Fertilisers and Steel ministries said that there is tremendous scope to work in these ministries.
Lok Janshakti leader Ram Vilas Paswan, who assumed charge of the Chemicals and Fertilisers and Steel ministries on Monday, discounted charges that he had not been given portfolios commensurate with his stature.
"No ministry in Government of India is small, 'jaannikal jaati hai kaam karte karte (its a back-breaking job)", he said here adding fertilisers are a farmer's lifeline, 'ghar, ghar ki kahani' (household commodity) and must not be undermined.
He said steel was an important portfolio with a number of important PSUs under the ministry.
Similarly after looking at the production of urea and other fertilisers, one realises the scale and proportion of the sector.
"There is a tremendous scope to work in both these ministries", he felt and added, "it will take me at least six months to visit all the important centres nationwide related to my ministries".
Paswan pointed out that 80 per cent of the Indian populace was of farming background and the need of the hour was to ensure timely supply of fertilisers.
"Just look at the number of units involved in manufacturing fertilisers, it is a very large sector", he said.
Domestic pharmaceutical consumption was around four billion dollars and another two million dollars worth of pharma goods were exported, he said and asked, "tell me which other sector has such large quantum of sales and over 20 per cent growth annually".