Sectors with consolidated growth may need less support: Sharma

The Centre today said it may go in for phased withdrawal of incentives to sectors which had consolidated their growth but would continue support to some labour-intensive sectors that were yet to pick up recovery.

Sectors which have consolidated their growth may need less support and the government may go in for a "phased withdrawal" of support and measures, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma told reporters here.

The minister, however, said he had taken up with Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee the need to continue government support to labour-intensive sectors.

"In some labour-intensive sectors, support will be needed for some more time to come and that is exactly what I have taken up with the Finance Minister. And I have recommended for his consideration," he said.

Sharma said he was sure Mukherjee was "equally sensitive and very well-informed about the issues and challenges before the Indian trade".

On exports, he said sectors such as engineering goods, garments, leather and handicrafts were yet to pick up growth, while considerable improvement was noted in export of coffee, tea, gems and jewels, pharmaceuticals and plastic.