Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Thursday there was nothing wrong in imports to spur growth but wondered why even Ganesha idols should be bought from China. Importing raw materials that were not available in the country and needed for our industries was not wrong, she said addressing the BJP’s Tamil Nadu unit workers via a virtual link.“There is nothing wrong in imports that would spur production and create job opportunities and it can be done definitely,” she said while speaking on the Centre’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan initiative. However, imports that could not bring benefits like employment opportunities and support growth would not help self-reliance and the Indian economy, she said.Ganesha idols made of clay have been traditionally bought from the local potters during Ganesh Chaturthi festival every year, she said.“But today, why even Ganesha idols are imported from China..why such a situation…can’t we make a Ganesha idol from clay, is it the situation?” she asked. She wondered if importing household products used every day like a soap-box, plastic items or incense sticks used for pooja purposes would support self-reliance especially when such products were made locally by Indian firms.
