Praful Patel determined to strengthen foundation of his new ministry

New Delhi, Jan 20 (ANI): Former Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel, who assumed charge of the Ministry of Heavy Industries on Thursday said the foremost duty of his new ministry would be to strengthen the foundation of heavy industries and public sector enterprises.

"Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi laid the foundation of heavy industries and public sector enterprises in our country, and to strengthen that foundation is the foremost duty of this ministry. We will give a new direction to this ministry and create awareness," Patel told reporters.

The 53-year-old leader further said if the government executes public enterprises in the right direction and gives them power, then the enterprises can be strengthened in the era of competition.

"After liberalisation and globalisation in our country, there has been a difference in the situation of some public enterprises due to rising competition. But, definitely, if the government executes the public enterprises in the right direction and gives power, then in the era of competition, these enterprises can be strengthened and this is the duty of our ministry," he added.

Keeping in mind that assembly elections are to be held in the key states of Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu and in an effort to fight corruption and price rise, the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on Wednesday reshuffled and reconstituted his cabinet for the first time since the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) began its second consecutive tenure in government in May 2009. (ANI)