Amidst growing concerns about robots and automation replacing human labour in the next wave of industrial revolution, commerce minister Nirmala Sitharaman requested the industry to restrict the use of
Amidst growing concerns about robots and automation replacing human labour in the next wave of industrial revolution, commerce minister Nirmala Sitharaman requested the industry to restrict the use of robots to high-end technology saying India can’t afford to leapfrog to robotics as millions of aspiring youngsters are coming out of the universities seeking employment.
However, industry leaders claimed that new industrial revolution would in fact create demand for more specialised skill sets and India needs to come out with a long-term skill policy to meet the future demand.
According to them, India need to embrace the ‘fourth industrial revolution’ as it will ensure a level playing field between developing and developed countries.
While speaking at the Maharashtra Investment Seminar organised during the Make In India Week, the minister told the industry not to forget the demographic dividend the country enjoys. “Many of you may have attended last year’s Davos summit. The discussion was on the next wave of the industrial revolution like robotics and automation. I would urge the industry to use such high-end technology in areas where high level of precision is required,” she said.
Responding to the minister’s concern, Bharat Forge chairman Baba Kalyani said the skill set required to meet the demand of the next round of industrial revolution is still unknown. “There is a global consensus that over 65 per cent of jobs required for the new industrial revolution is unknown. It is going to create jobs for which specialised skills are required,” he said and added that the government needs to create a skilling corridor to meet India’s future manpower requirement.
Participating in the discussion, Sun Pharma managing director Dilip Shan-ghvi said India is going to be the pharmacy capital of the world and India needs to augment its pharmacy education.
While stating that 70 per cent of the pharma business is managed from Maharashtra, Mr Shanghvi said manufacturing has moved to other states.
“In order to bring back manufacturing here (in Maharashtra), we need a conducive environment to nurture research centres. Skilling of people to use new technology in manufacturing should be encouraged,” he added.
