Reforms: allies Trinamool and DMK wave first red flag
J P Yadav
Posted: Tuesday, Jun 09, 2009 at 1241 hrs IST
Updated: Tuesday, Jun 09, 2009 at 1241 hrs IST
New Delhi: UPA’s allies Trinamool Congress and DMK put their opposition to disinvestment on record while speaking on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address in which the government talked of developing a “roadmap for listing and people-ownership of public sector undertakings while ensuring that government equity does not fall below 51%.”
Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Trinamool MP Sudeep Bandopadhyay said his party was not in favour of disinvestment in profit-making PSUs in the banking and insurance sectors. He also opposed the Land Acquisition Act and asked the government to table a fresh Bill to “protect the land of farmers from being acquired for industry.”
When contacted later, the Trinamool leader said his party’s opposition wasn’t limited to PSUs in West Bengal. “We are against disinvestment of any profit-making PSU but we are firm that no such step should be undertaken in the banking and insurance sectors and it applies to any PSU across the country”, he said.
Voicing the DMK’s opposition, MP Kanimozhi said in the Rajya Sabha: “We have to keep away from the temptation of generating revenue by disinvesting PSUs...In a country where the socialist model is very important, things like disinvestment should not be even thought of.”
In fact, not only on disinvestment, on FDI in retail, pension and banking reforms, the Trinamool’s views mirror those of the Left. Mamata Banerjee has, in fact, gone on record to say that the “Left ideology is good but it’s the CPM which is bad.”
Speaking to The Indian Express, two senior MPs of her party, Saugata Roy and Sisir Adhikari, echoed this. “Comrades are championing the cause of the rich. It’s the Trinamool which is the real pro-people party,” Adhikari said.
Adhikari said the Trinamool was also opposed to pension reform. “We want to raise interest on pension and small savings,” Adhikari said.
Said Saugata Roy, the seniormost Trinamool MP, inducted as MoS Rural Development: “In principle, we stand opposed to privatization and disinvestment in the insurance and banking sector.” But he nuanced this underlining that the party was committed to the UPA’s stability. “How to confront these issues will be discussed inside the party,” Roy said.
Comments
» Disinvestment
Posted by Athreya on 2009-06-11 02:47:15.899909+05:30
DMK can be persuaded into a selective disinvestment strategy. And so can be Trinamool, notwithstanding rhetoric. Dr Singh ought to have had a key person in the cabinet rank or MOS rank with independent charge for a separate Ministry of Disinvestment clearly signalling disinvestment is going to be a key element in social incusiveness in the growth and development ahead. Even now it is not too late. The best of the PM's personal agenda should come forth in the first 100 days. Disinvestment cannot be afforded to lag behind other top priorities on the table. The treasury is in absolute shambles thanks to the largesses that were thrown at the cost of the fiscal fundamentals. Now when there is an appetite for growth, reform and development, the fiscal imbalance can be a drag on the country. Disinvestment can be a strong mitigant. PM should rally support of allies through Sonia in unequivocal terms. With both DMK and Trinamool needing Congress support at respective states, it should not be too difficult to achieve.
» PSUs are Kamdehnus for politicians
Posted by arun kumar on 2009-06-09 16:10:13.419796+05:30
Who will otherwise foot bills for Mobile, Lunch from Tajmahal hotel (ask Ramvilas Pawan),transport for their family members when touring, free guest houses and plush job of a chairman or deputy chairman. - This Kamdehnu gives milk irrespective of her health, because she is afraid the politicians will drink her blood if she fails to give milk. They are not established to perform, but to use tax payer's money honorably - noble way of stealing. Karuna ji - please act as per your name - please call it a day now.
» Bhangra
Posted by rohit on 2009-06-09 15:57:37.933647+05:30
Is mamata doing Bhangra in picture?
» PSU-How much dividend these profitmaking company giving every year
Posted by vinaypendharkar on 2009-06-09 14:57:19.694664+05:30
Its story of a hen which gives a golden egg evry year. By disinvestment you try to have a chicken for that day only!what about the future? How fast these private companies close their operations and fire their work force. World is moving towards the PSU and we want to destroy the solid building which withstand the economic downfall all over the world. Think twice before giving agricultural land for SEZ and disinvesting the PSU who always delivered in odd situation and environment.
» Government's job is not to run companies
Posted by Anil on 2009-06-09 13:23:32.450209+05:30
The role of the government is to govern and not run companies. Kanimozhi made such a noble speech on the theory of temptation, how i wish the lady would apply the same the principal to her party members and brothers and other family members who have become rich and acquired wealth through this noble virtue of temptation and greed.this government wants to disinvest so that the money can be utilised to over come the fiscal deficit and money gained to plough back into social reforms and infrastructural development.If people opposing the disinvestments of PSUs cannot get that in her thick head then she should seek clarification from the government.the onething tht i do stand by her is her views of accquiring farm land. No agricultural land should be used to build SEZs
» Think many times before dump the money in PSU
Posted by bose on 2009-06-09 13:11:17.717131+05:30
In a recent news from news paper shows that over 45% of the state Government's revenue is being spent for the salary and other packages for the state government employees (2% of the population). So state and central government have to think many times before they dump money in public sector organizations.
» DMK and Trinamool
Posted by tojoe on 2009-06-09 12:55:50.588681+05:30
All this while it was for ministerial births now..starts the unproductive phase of alliance partners like what the left did for the last 5 years...Mamta and karuna show what your names signify to this country instead of blocking the all reforms..Its time china started in 1980 and they way way ahead of us..at least its a good chance to catch up for the next 5 years..Let the govt be a facilitator not an dole agency..let people work and make industry sustain... Airlines,hotels.. watch factory,telphone factory useless guys wasting govt money just let them go...
» Not Good---Let the private investment come to PSU
Posted by T.Arulmony on 2009-06-09 12:32:40.121697+05:30
It is quit indifferent. In the absence of strong left parties and strong oppositions in 15th Lokshaba , the Tranmool and DMK are opposing in friendly manner and very positively. The reasons are these two parties are working in underdeveloped states where more Government organizations and employees found-ICF, lignite -naively etc. But they must understand how it will help to bring more investment for PSU with out violating the core objectives of PSUs. The quality of the product improves with productivity. In many PSUs the staff are under employed and not available at work spot. The Government may launch a monitoring unit and organize regular inspection so that to make available the employees of PSU at work spot and make them work as like the private sector with competent spirit and loyalty.
» yeh to honaa hi thaaa.... !!!
Posted by Dipak Thaker on 2009-06-09 12:31:50.249605+05:30
The ppl who have voted for Congress viewing to the stability of the GOvt
» yeh to honaa hi thaaa.... !!!
Posted by Dipak Thaker on 2009-06-09 12:20:15.345506+05:30
The ppl who have voted for Congress viewing to the stability of the GOvt
