Shettar seeks report from officials on any effects of "economic slowdown"

Bengaluru: Karnataka minister Jagadish Shettar on Tuesday said he has sought for a report from officials on any effects of “economic slowdown” in the state, as he sought to play it down it as a “temporary” phenomenon while defending the Modi government at the centre.

The principal secretary has been asked to give a report, the Large and Medium Scale Industries minister said.

“I have told our officers during the recent meeting to give a report, in the backdrop of discussions and reports in the media (about slowdown).”

Speaking to reporters here, he said, “overall in the state how many industries are there? what is happening there? Has any industry become sick or any job cutting or retrenchment or removing employees on contract basis taken place in the state due to the recent recession? I have asked for a report in this regard.

“Our principal secretary has been asked to prepare a report, in about 15 days I may get that report,” he said.

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had recently termed the state of the economy in the country “deeply worrying”, and said the “all-round mismanagement” by the Modi government was responsible for the slowdown.

Responding to a question about effects of “recession” and “economic slowdown”, Shettar said “the recession is for time being, it will not last long.