Not reviewing decisions of earlier government: Nirmala Sitharaman

The centre's decision to review free trade agreements (FTA), the policy on special economic zone (SEZ) and the Companies Act does not mean going back on the decisions of the previous government, Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman clarified Saturday.

"We are not reviewing each and every decision of the earlier government," Minister of State for Commerce and Industry (Independent Charge) and Minister of State for Finance Nirmala Sitharaman told reporters here.

She said the government is looking at the issues that impede investment and creation of jobs and review of FTA, SEZ and the company law should be seen as part of that scheme.

Sitharaman said she has instructed the ministry to review all the FTAs, adding not every FTA is completely beneficial for the country.

A detailed analysis of the FTAs has to be done and lessons, if any, are to be learnt.

"The work is expected to be done in 15 days time," she said.

On the new Companies Act, she said it has created some problems.

"Next Saturday in Delhi, we are having a major consultation on the Companies Act with stakeholders."

On the SEZs, she said there are constraints and her ministry wants to understand the difficulties faced by them.

Queried about the centre's stand on the Cauvery river water sharing dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, she said water dispute is a serious issue and the centre would try to solve the issues amicably.

Sitharaman also said the centre is looking at the attack and arrest of Indian fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy seriously.

She said External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj too is of the view that arrests of fishermen should not be there.

On her first trip to Tamil Nadu after becoming a minister, Sitharaman said she would be meeting officials of industry lobby bodies to seek out their views on improving the manufacturing and investment opportunities in the state.

Sitharaman said she would be meeting the salt pan workers in Tamil Nadu to increase salt production in the state. Tamil Nadu is ranked second in salt production after Gujarat.

She said she would also discuss on the possibilities of having food processing units in the state so that value added products could be manufactured in Tamil Nadu.