The Hindu Business Line : Left to examine Govt's divestment programme

Under review
Divestment in NLC, Nalco, under Govt's priority list.
Govt to decide on transfer of residual stake in Balco, VSNL.
Left wants airports modernisation only under AAI.
Left also for reservations for economically-backward communities.

New Delhi , May 26

The four Left parties extending outside support to the UPA Government are likely to meet next Thursday to review the Government's stand on airport modernisation, disinvestment, oil price hikes and reservations in educational institutions.

The move assumes significance with the Government renewing its plans to move ahead with its disinvestment programme of profitable public sector units (PSUs).

Disinvestment of several PSUs such as Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC), National Aluminium Company Ltd (Nalco) is again back on the Government's priority list.

On the other hand, the Government has to decide on the complete disinvestment of Bharat Aluminium Company Ltd (Balco) and Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd (VSNL) by transferring the residual stake to the strategic partners Sterlite Industries and the Tatas, respectively.

As per the shareholders' agreement signed by the erstwhile NDA Government with the strategic partners, the deadline for transferring the residual stake held by the Government was by March this year.

"We prevented such moves earlier. It is against the NCMP. Not only this renewed bid to divest but we would also discuss the issue of airports, oil price increase and obviously reservation," communist party sources said.

Also, the Left parties are expected to reiterate that airport modernisation be done through State controlled Airports Authority of India (AAI) only, sources said.

On the reservation issue, the RSP General Secretary, Mr Abani Roy, said that certain changes would be required in the draft legislation that is being prepared.

"The wordings of the legislation would be critical. As of now it reads "socially and educationally backward". It needs to be made such that the economically backward among these communities actually get the benefits. Let them give us the draft and then we would decide," Mr Roy said.

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