Sivaganga: The presence of an AIADMK minister at a function at nearby Muthupatti in which he was present on Sunday prompted Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram to remark that he wished there was a confluence of political parties at public functions in future.
"India is not a country like China with one party and one policy. There are different parties with different policies, like CPI...I wish the sangamam (confluence) of all parties in functions like this in future," he said.
He made the remarks while welcoming Agriculture Minister S Damadoran at the function, where Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Anand Sharma inaugurated the Spices Park.
Chidambaram said five years of continuous efforts had led to establishment of the Park, a joint effort of the state and central governments. This showed how unity between the two governments could bring projects that would help people and also improve their standard of living, he said.
On Damodaran`s request to set up more such parks and Value Added Product units in Tamil Nadu, Chidambaram hoped the Union Commerce and Industry Minister would take steps for it.
The Finance Minister also referred to reports of there being scope to handle spices, including curry leaves and coriander in the same spices park.
Chidamabram said India has come a long way from the time when farm produce could not be sold even to other states to exporting them to other countries.
"We were selling spices only within our state or region. We could not even think of selling them in neighbouring states. Now selling the produce to foreign countries has become a reality," he said.
Now India stood first in export of rice. Indian Basmati rice was famous for quality and aroma and is exported on a large scale. "Now with the help of the spices park here, we can export spices by adding value to them. My wish is more spices should be brought here for processing and export. We should see if more produce can be brought here," he said.
PTI
