Mr Goyal spoke out against the Tata Group unprovoked and said, “Me, Myself, My Company — we all need to go beyond this approach.”
The Industry and Commerce minister Piyush Goyal faced heavy backlash on micro-blogging website Twitter after The Hindu reported his statements against the Indian industry’s business practices. While addressing a CII conference Thursday, Mr Goyal spoke out against the Tata Group unprovoked and said, “Me, Myself, My Company — we all need to go beyond this approach.”
The video of the annual (virtual) meet was earlier uploaded on YouTube, but it was pulled down after the powers that be sniffed the brewing controversy. An edited version of the video was again uploaded on the social media site but was blocked by Friday evening, CNBCTV18 reported.
Tata Sons has opposed the rules to help consumers framed by his ministry, Mr Goyal alleged. However, The Hindu said that the comments that apparently came straight from his heart has baffled the India Inc CEOs. The national daily has a recording of Goyal’s tirade.
“Kya aapke jaisi company, ek do aapne shayad koi videshi company kharid li, uska importance zyaada ho gyaa, desh hith kam ho gaya? (A company like yours, maybe you have bought some foreign companies, are they more important, greater than national interest?),” Mr Goyal said.
The Union Minister’s comments came a day after PM Modi assured the industry of complete support and urged them to invest in the country.
Mr Goyal’s remarks invited criticism from many on Twitter. Former Union Minister of State for Communications & Information Technology and Shipping, Milind Deora, said: “World over the governments are working with industry, entrepreneurs, and traders to help them get back on their feet. GoI’s “minimum government, maximum governance” prefers berating them and bullying them toward unprofitability and decline,” he said.
World over, governments are working with industry, entrepreneurs & traders to help them get back on their feet.
GOI’s ‘minimum government, maximum governance’, prefers berating & bullying them toward unprofitability & decline.
A strong economy is in India’s national interest. pic.twitter.com/lqeQK4HO7u
— Milind Deora | मिलिंद देवरा ☮️ (@milinddeora) August 14, 2021
However, Mr Goyal, in the same meeting, did assure the industry that government will protect its interests in free trade agreements (FTA), and the pacts will be finalised after conducting detailed discussions with concerned stakeholders.
Though the minister also exhorted them saying the domestic producers should become competitive rather than seeking protection through these agreements.
Union Minister’s unhinged rant at CII meeting.
Pressure of working in an underperforming one man show must really be getting to them ! https://t.co/jj4Wzptz6V
— Mahua Moitra (@MahuaMoitra) August 14, 2021
The kind of language used against industry captains&calling their work against nation’s interest is shameful to the core&he is India’s Commerce Minister!
CII should demand an apology instead of helping him by pulling down the video. Stand up to bullying! https://t.co/dPblCaBrmG— Priyanka Chaturvedi (@priyankac19) August 14, 2021
I am absolutely flabbergasted at Piyush Goyal's unprovoked attacks on Indian industry. First, he ensured Rajya Sabha did not function at all, and now this bizarre tirade! He couldn’t be speaking without official sanction, could he?https://t.co/pVSwY7xf4u
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) August 14, 2021
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