Sitharaman praises "Make in India" for job creation

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman defended the "Make in India" initiative during a Rajya Sabha debate. She dismissed criticism from the opposition and emphasized the program's positive results. Sitharaman highlighted that the initiative has generated Rs 1.5 lakh crore in investments and created nearly 9.5 lakh jobs, especially in manufacturing and defense. Sitharaman explained that the government has taken various steps to enhance the manufacturing sector. She mentioned the success of production linked incentive (PLI) schemes, asserting that they have contributed to the initiative's achievements. "Make in India has actually given us good results," she stated, reinforcing her confidence in the program. The initiative was launched on September 25, 2014, with the goal of attracting investment and promoting innovation. Sitharaman urged the opposition to recognize its benefits, pointing to data that supports her claims. She accused the Congress party of having a confusing approach and not implementing their national manufacturing policy effectively. The Finance Minister criticized the Congress for quickly signing trade agreements that hurt India's manufacturing. She noted that efforts are being made to review these agreements. Sitharaman also shared that India's household debt is comparatively low and that wages have increased under the current government. She highlighted the success of Indian products in the global defense market, mentioning that "Made in Bihar" boots are now part of the Russian Army's equipment. The Rajya Sabha later approved additional spending of Rs 51,463 crore and the budget for Manipur for the 2025-26 fiscal year.