Leading industrialists, bankers, socialites, intellectuals, lawyers and other who?s who of Mumbai will have an exclusive interaction with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here on Monday. The list of invitees includes RIL chairman Mukesh Ambani, Reliance ADAG chairman and managing director Anil Ambani, Essar?s Shashi and Ravi Ruia, Godrej chief Adi Godrej, Piramal Healthcare?s Ajay and Swati Piramal, S Kumar?s Kasaliwal brothers, RPG?s Harsh Goenka, Pune University vice-chancellor Narendra Jadhav, socialite Shobha De, filmmakers Mahesh Bhat and Subhash Ghai.
The interactive meeting is crucialin view of the current slowdown in growth, exports and industrial production. Security issues post Mumbai terror is also a pressing concern.
Around 300 persons are expected to participate at Monday?s session being organised by the Mumbai Pradesh Congress Committee. Incidentally, the Prime Minister, on his maiden visit to the city after his heart surgery, will not address any election meeting and leave for Delhi immediately after holding a press conference.
According to a Mumbai Pradesh Congress Committee officebearer, ?The PM is expected to put his views on the Congress party?s manifesto, review the five-year tenure of the UPA government and impact of the stimulus packages and other measures adopted by the government to tide over the current slowdown. Besides, he will also brief the gathering on the Centre?s timely response to the 26/11 terror strikes in Mumbai and subsequent measures taken by the government.?
The meeting is also crucial when there has been demand from saffron Shiv Sena and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena for 80% jobs for locals and reservation in the private sector, which has already been opposed by the private sector.
?The meeting is taking place ahead of the RBI?s monetary policy scheduled for April 21. Industry will reiterate its demand for further cut in interest rates and a greater flow of funds to boost economic activity in commercial, infrastructure and retail sectors,? said an industrialist and a member of one of the leading business chamber on the condition of anonymity.