PM Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' campaign is rehash of initiatives taken by UPA: Anand Sharma

Congress leader Anand Sharma on Wednesday described the high-profile 'Make in India' campaign to be launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a repackaging of what has already been done by the previous UPA regime.

"Mr Modi is turning everything into a personal marketing event. India is not going to make things for the first time. India is a major manufacturer of high-end engineering equipment. India is a major manufacturer of auto-components, automobiles. Many of the companies who will be there tomorrow for the showcase event, whether it is the Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, Volvo, Mercedes they all manufacturing cars in India and they are exporting out of India. This is a matter of fact on record," Sharma told ANI here.

"If Mr. Modi and his government is trying to convey that they are seriously taking forward the national mission mode initiatives, particularly to simplify these rules and to ensure that the ease of doing business improves then it has to be put in a proper perspective. Similarly, when it comes to manufacturing and also the policies that are in place, what I have gathered so far is that it is just repackaging of what has already been done," he said.

The former union minister further said that Prime Minister Modi should stop saying that this was an initiative taken for the first time by his government.

"So, this is actually a re-statement of the same. So, it is good for branding, good for marketing and it sends a positive message but the BJP government, particularly the Prime Minister, should stop saying that this is happening for the first time. He should show political honesty by informing the country that all these things have been done and we are taking it forward and further strengthening," Sharma said.

"It is important for a country to know that over the years, its institutions, their governments have been working. It is not only dishonest but unfair for a country to be told that everything is happening only now," he said. Sharma further asked the NDA Government at the Centre not to make false claims that the steps were first initiated by it. "It is the interest of the country that we improve manufacturing; we attract investment and also improve India's rating when it comes to the comfort of doing business. We have no quarrel with that. But to make it appear that nothing was done and it is only his vision, it's a wrong statement and it should not be made," he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will unveil his "Make in India" campaign on Thursday with an aim to turn the country into a global manufacturing hub. Stakeholders, including leading businessmen and CEOs of about 3,000 companies of 30 countries, have been reportedly invited for the launch.