Reforms to continue if NDA returns: Goyal

NEWDELHI: A future National Democratic Alliance government will continue with the “reform” it has initiated in the past five years, taking benefits to weaker sections while providing a strong and stable government, railways minister Piyush Goyal said on Monday.

“There will be a deep thrust on honesty and integrity,” Goyal said at the News 18’s Rising India Summit here.

On privatisation of public sector banks, Goyal said privatisation was not the solution, as it was the public sector banks that have made Indian businessmen what they are today by holding their hands even in difficult times.

Goyal, who also holds of portfolio of coals and mines, said “maximum governance and minimum government” slogans had more to do with cleaning up of the system, bringing honesty and easing process; rather that merely merging ministries.

“You can merge 10 ministries. But that’s the myopic view, that a certain action isn’t great reform. It’s a case-by-case thing. Coal is an issue that affects the availability of power in the country… Outcomes matter more than optical illusions,” he said.

Speaking at the event, Ravi Shankar Prasad, minister for law and justice as well as electronics & IT, expressed confidence that the Modi government will return to power on the back of its performance in the last five years.

“The kind of work we have done in the last four years is a great example on how we have changed the narrative of India. Today, India’s digital transformation is happening. It is the lowcost technology for people. Look at e-governance.

Today India’s poor feels empowered,” he said.

On new industrial policy, commerce minister Suresh Prabhu said: “It’s already done, it’s awaiting cabinet approval. It’s a matter of time whether we do it now or after the election. One of the key components is removing regulations, and it’s already in works.”