In a meaningful step towards shaping the future of India’s chemical and petrochemical sector, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, chaired the “Manthan Shivir” in New Delhi today. Organized by the Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals, the day-long event brought together key stakeholders for in-depth discussions focused on long-term, sustainable growth in the sector.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Nadda commended the initiative and its choice of forward-looking themes. He urged participants to move beyond routine work and dedicate time regularly to generating innovative, out-of-the-box ideas that can address real-world challenges. He emphasized that such platforms foster creative thinking and help ensure that policymaking is inclusive and aligned with the broader vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Thanking the representatives from various ministries and departments for their active participation, Shri Nadda stressed the importance of avoiding policy silos and encouraged institutionalizing these collaborative dialogues as a continuous practice. He acknowledged that while the sector has made substantial progress, the journey ahead calls for deeper integration, resilience, and a strong push toward self-reliance.
The Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a robust and future-ready industrial ecosystem that prioritizes both growth and sustainability. He expressed confidence that with a united approach, the chemical sector can become a pillar of India’s economic strength and innovation landscape.
Supporting this vision, Ms. Nivedita Shukla Verma, Secretary, Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals, highlighted the strategic importance of the sector, noting its contribution of 1.4% to the national GDP and nearly 9% of gross value addition in manufacturing. She emphasized the need for continued infrastructure and policy support in response to changing global dynamics and the aspiration for an Atmanirbhar Bharat.
The discussions throughout the day revolved around six thematic areas: infrastructure development, sustainability and the circular economy, trade remedial measures, manufacturing growth, skill development, and a future-ready roadmap for the plastics industry. Each topic was explored by specialized groups comprising representatives from multiple government ministries, departments, and institutions, making the Manthan Shivir a comprehensive and thoughtful exercise in collaborative policy planning.
