Non-Playing Captain

Nandkishore Kagliwal claims he is apolitical. And on paper, his association with the government certainly looks that way. Till recently, he was a director on the board of Sicom, the states key industrial investment agency. He is currently a member of the Maharashtra State Planning Board. But Kagliwals role in Maharashtra politics goes far beyond these official designations. Observers say he plays a vital role in selecting candidates for key party posts of the Shiv Sena -- and the party often takes his advice. That doesnt, however, make him any less candid. At a political level, this government is showing concern for industry. It has always been pro-tradeand-business. But the concern does not percolate to implementation. He adds, however, that the Sena-BJP government is amenable to suggestions to look at things afresh. He is also critical of Sicoms growing role as a financial institution. It is trying to be a commercial financial institution because it wants to be big and profitable. But then, the developmental role suffers, Kagliwal says. Ask him about the growing industrial militancy in the state and he minces no words. Industrial militancy is counterproductive but under the Shiv Sena government, this should be expected. But as the industrial culture comes of age, militancy will be tempered and maturity will dawn, he says. Kagliwal is also managing director of the Rs 500-crore Aurangabad-based Nath group and is currently busy championing the cause of horticulture ands floriculture in the state.